I'm not sure there is a clearly demonstrable definition of nominative absolute, but the definitions I've checked in several on line manuals and discussions all require a subject and a predicate but without a BE verb. The following would be typical examples: The window shattered by hail, the carpet was soaked during the storm. The dog snarling fiercely behind the door, the unexpected visitors left without even knocking. All fifteen pool balls in the pockets in numerical order, the game was declared over. I haven't found a definition that would allow a "hence + NP" expression as a nominative absolute. I favor the suggestion that "hence" is a conjunctive adverb followed by an elliptical clause, in the sentence in question an NP. Herb Part of the dynamic has to do with who is using which version, hence my attempt to focus on "mainstream" institutions (emphasis added). The infinitive phrase including its preceding substantive, in my opinion, functions as an absolute construction and as such modifies the whole sentence. I would parse hence as a conjunctive adverb and attempt as a nominative absolute provided to give the infinitive something to modify. Sorry for the confusion. 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 6:24 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: What Is This? Clint, did you mean to say that the prepositional phrase is a sentence modifier or just the infinitive phrase? Nancy L. Tuten, PhD Professor of English Director of the Writing-across-the-Curriculum Program Columbia College Columbia, South Carolina [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> 803-786-3706 ________________________________ From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Atchley, Clinton Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 10:43 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: What Is This? 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 To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/