'being' participle phrase

Question

Being a marketing graduate, I believe I am the perfect candidate for this roleI understand that 'being' participle phrases can convey the same meaning as 'because I am...' (adverbial of reason).What about this participle phrase? Does it show--at all --that I believe I'm the perfect candidate because I have a marketing degree? Having a marketing degree, I believe I am the perfect candidate for this role.I don't think so, but I'm sure others may infer differently.Thanks for your time.

Mr Wordy · Accepted Answer

English 1b3
What about this participle phrase? Does it show--at all --that I believe I'm the perfect candidate because I have a marketing degree?

Having a marketing degree, I believe I am the perfect candidate for this role.

It implies that the marketing degree is an important reason -- if not the sole reason -- why you believe you are the perfect candidate.

Although it would usually pass, I'm not sure whether the structure of this sentence is technically absolutely correct. To me, it has a faint dangling-participle-like feel to it, even though in theory the agreement seems correct. I'd be interested to hear what others think, if anyone's passing by. Perhaps I'm just imagining it.

CalifJim · Answer

I am the one who is a graduate in marketing. I am the one who has the degree. I am the one who believes .... I am the one who is the perfect candidate.

It's all I, I, I, so I don't see the dangling participle connection.

Maybe something else about the sentence bothers you, and it's manifested itself as a suspicion about the participial construction?

CJ

CalifJim · Answer

English 1b3What about this participle phrase? Does it show--at all --that I believe I'm the perfect candidate because I have a marketing degree?

Having a marketing degree, I believe I am the perfect candidate for this role.

The semantic relationship between a participial phrase and the accompanying main clause can be vague, but the because relationship is certainly one of the candidates in this particular sentence.

CJ

English 1b3 · Answer

Thanks.

Do you prefer the 'being' participle phrase I wrote over the 'having' participle phrase--since the relationship, I feel, is clearer?

CalifJim · Answer

English 1b3Do you prefer the 'being' participle phrase I wrote over the 'having' participle phrase--since the relationship, I feel, is clearer?

Yes. I think I have a slight preference for the being phrase, but only slight. It's your choice.

CJ

Mr Wordy · Answer

CalifJimI am the one who is a graduate in marketing. I am the one who has the degree. I am the one who believes .... I am the one who is the perfect candidate.

It's all I, I, I, so I don't see the dangling participle connection.

Maybe something else about the sentence bothers you, and it's manifested itself as a suspicion about the participial construction?

I think what vaguely troubles me is that "Having a marketing degree" seems to be describing an activity concurrent with the act of believing, rather than describing a state of affairs that is the reason for the belief. I'm not sure if that makes any sense, but I can't think of another way to explain it.

English 1b3 · Answer

I understand what you mean, but as CJ pointed out, it is sometimes hard to establish how a participle phrase relates to the main clause, and thus it is up to the reader to decide. In this case, I think, as does CJ, the phrase's relationship with the main clause (an adverbial of reason) is just clear enough.

Mr Wordy · Answer

English 1b3In this case, I think, as does CJ, the phrase's relationship with the main clause (an adverbial of reason) is just clear enough.

Yes, I have no problem understanding the intention of the sentence.

'being' participle phrase

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