I’d say that the infinitive is being used absolutely as
a sentence modifier. The preceding substantive attempt functions
as a nominative absolute. Hence is a conjunctive or transitional
adverb. Just my two cents.
Best,
Clint
Clinton Atchley, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of English
Box 7652
1100 Henderson Street
Henderson State University
Arkadelphia, AR 71999
Phone: 870.230.5276
Email: [log in to unmask]
Web: http://www.hsu.edu/atchlec
From: Assembly for the
Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Nancy
Tuten
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 8:22 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: What Is This?
I’ll venture a guess: a
prepositional phrase, with “hence” serving as the preposition,
“attempt” as the object, and “to focus on mainstream
institutions” as an adjectival infinitive phrase modifying “attempt.”
But how does the prepositional phrase (if that’s what it is) function? Is
it adverbial, modifying the verb “has” in the main clause?
I’m going to print out
our discussion and share it with my advanced grammar class—all English
majors, some of whom have already discovered the joy of such discussions—the
next generation of ATEGers.
Nancy
From: Assembly for the Teaching of English
Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Crow
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 4:09 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: What Is This?
In a very well-supported response
to Nancy's inquiry about Master's Degree, Bill wrote the following sentence:
Part of the dynamic has to do with who is using which version, hence my
attempt to focus on
"mainstream" institutions (emphasis added).
I find the sentence perfectly well formed, but I cannot figure out what the
underlined part is. Any ideas?
John
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