being?

Question

hi.good mo.in the sentence, I find strange word 'being''North american cowbirds possess several characteristics that make them anomalous, among them BEING the fact that they are a parasitic kind of bird.'I can feel that it means same as 'IS' but why do you use BEING?thank you.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

is: (about an object other than oneself): She is friendly. It is snowing outside. Pizza is a tasty food.

being: (this indicates that something is in the on-going, present state of existing or having a given property) You are being silly. Being good at something takes work.

So, while both words are similar in meaning, the subtle difference is shown in the aforementioned sentences.

CalifJim · Answer

mercuryjuneI can feel that it means same as 'IS'

Correct.

mercuryjunebut why do you use BEING?

For one thing, you do that so you don't have to make another sentence.

North American cowbirds ... that make them anomalous. Among them (=the characteristics) is the fact that they ....
___________

If you just attach more related information to a sentence with a phrase, use 'being' instead of 'is' or 'are', 'was' or 'were'. This is used when the added information refers back to the information in the main clause.

The children marched onto the stage, the first being the tallest, the last being the shortest.
~
The children marched onto the stage. The first (of the children) was the tallest. The last (of the children) was the shortest.

Stylistically, these are not the most elegant constructions, but you will see them and hear them.

CJ

Mercuryjune · Answer

Thanks a lot. Great help!! ^^

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