<p>I know that English teachers always us to not use this word. However, is it fine, in a college essay, to use “being.” Here’s an example:</p>
<p>“Being an Alaskan Eskimo, my parents taught me to keep my toes warm.” Also, is this sentence wrong because the phrase in the beginning looks like it’s modifying “parents?”</p>
<p>I appreciate the help.</p>
<p>You can. But, I think “As Alaskan Eskimos” would fit it better. And it’s that wrong.</p>
<p>there are also more creative ways you could consider saying it, like</p>
<p>My parents always taught me to keep my toes warm. After all, they are Alaskan Eskimo, and [why that makes so much sense anyway].</p>
<p>That kind of sentence that goes “set up this way, the person does something” is kind of awkward-- always reminds me of yearbook captions, which I hate. maybe I should have been nicer when talking to the yearbook staff about this idiosyncrasy, but we’ve all graduated by now anyway…</p>
<p>I double what faustarp said. Look for a more creative way to say it, because “Being” sounds really awkward. “Because we’re Alaskan Eskimos” would sound better, for example.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>