James, No, you didn't miss the question, and I appreciate your answer. I still have a question left, however -- what is the function of the absolute? Thanks, Ed >>> James Vanden Bosch <[log in to unmask]> 06/24/98 03:43pm >>> Dear Ed, The word "being" is the verbal part of the absolute phrase, also known as the nominative absolute. The absolute phrase is often described as a reduced form of a complete clause, in this case, a reduced version of "One of them is that the patient is in his or her own home." The "that" clause functions as the predicate noun of the clause. Or am I missing your question? JVB At 03:34 PM 6/24/98 -0400, you wrote: >In the sentence: > >There are several factors that strengthen or add to this relationship, one >being that the patient is in their own home. > >How would you explain the function of "being"? >Of "one"? >and of the 2nd "that" clause? > >Thanks in advance for your responses. >Ed v. > James Vanden Bosch (616) 957-6592 Department of English [log in to unmask] Calvin College fax: (616) 957-8508 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 http://www.calvin.edu/~vand for PureVoice software: http://www.eudora.com/epro/purevoice.html