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Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Usage
Dangling elements and misplaced modifiers
Hello,
I am studying for the English Composition CLEP and there is a sentence in Barron's study guide with which I just do not understand the problem with the sentence.
What I am supposed to be looking for is an error in the sentence that has to do with dangling elements and misplaced modifiers.
Here it is:
After watching plane after plane land without seeing the one they waited for, they left the airport in complete disgust at being so badly fooled by airline schedules.
The answer to the practice question is that the introductory participial phrase does not modify "they".
Please help! I don't understand what the problem with the sentence is. First of all, which "they" is the book talking about- the one after the comma or the one within the introductory phrase? Second of all, I understand that the following sentence is wrong:
"Walking along the beach, the sun rose above the mountains." Obviously, in this example the introductory participial phrase does not modify the sun because otherwise the sun would be walking along the beach, which is impossible, of course. However, in the example "they" are the ones watching the planes, so what's wrong? Anyway, hopefully you understand my question.
Thanks!
Nate.
I am studying for the English Composition CLEP and there is a sentence in Barron's study guide with which I just do not understand the problem with the sentence.
What I am supposed to be looking for is an error in the sentence that has to do with dangling elements and misplaced modifiers.
Here it is:
After watching plane after plane land without seeing the one they waited for, they left the airport in complete disgust at being so badly fooled by airline schedules.
The answer to the practice question is that the introductory participial phrase does not modify "they".
Please help! I don't understand what the problem with the sentence is. First of all, which "they" is the book talking about- the one after the comma or the one within the introductory phrase? Second of all, I understand that the following sentence is wrong:
"Walking along the beach, the sun rose above the mountains." Obviously, in this example the introductory participial phrase does not modify the sun because otherwise the sun would be walking along the beach, which is impossible, of course. However, in the example "they" are the ones watching the planes, so what's wrong? Anyway, hopefully you understand my question.
Thanks!
Nate.
Top answer
Ok. That's what I get for not proofreading my posting! I know my opening sentence is written very poorly!
- Ok.
- That's what I get for not proofreading my posting!
- I know my opening sentence is written very poorly!
- Please excuse my first sentence!
- Thanks!
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26 Answers
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Ok.
That's what I get for not proofreading my posting! I know my opening sentence is written very poorly! Please excuse my first sentence!
Thanks!
That's what I get for not proofreading my posting! I know my opening sentence is written very poorly! Please excuse my first sentence!
Thanks!
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[nq:1]What I am supposed to be looking for is an error in the sentence that has to do with dangling ... fooled by airline schedules. The answer to the practice question is that the introductory participial phrase does not modify "they".[/nq]
This sentence has no problem; the participial phrase modifies the subject of the main clause. Someone was wrong to say that it had a problem. Or, check yo
This sentence has no problem; the participial phrase modifies the subject of the main clause. Someone was wrong to say that it had a problem. Or, check yo
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NATHANIEL COOK wrote on 07 Dec 2004:
[nq:1]Hello, I am studying for the English Composition CLEP and there is a sentence in Barron's study guide with which ... fooled by airline schedules. The answer to the practice question is that the introductory participial phrase does not modify "they".[/nq]
That's nonsense. The introductory phrase modifies "they" in "they left". It should read "they
[nq:1]Hello, I am studying for the English Composition CLEP and there is a sentence in Barron's study guide with which ... fooled by airline schedules. The answer to the practice question is that the introductory participial phrase does not modify "they".[/nq]
That's nonsense. The introductory phrase modifies "they" in "they left". It should read "they
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[nq:1]After watching plane after plane land without seeing the one they waited for, they left the airport in complete disgust at being so badly fooled by airline schedules. The answer to the practice question is that the introductory participial phrase does not modify "they".[/nq]
It seems fine to me in that respect, but I'm not at all happy with "the one they waited for" it should be "the one
It seems fine to me in that respect, but I'm not at all happy with "the one they waited for" it should be "the one
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Thanks for all the comments. It makes me feel better to know that I was not misunderstanding the concept.
The Barron's CLEP study guide is pretty good I guess, but I emailed them to voice my displeasure with them because they have NO errata page on their website (http://www.barronseduc.com) for this publication and therefo
The Barron's CLEP study guide is pretty good I guess, but I emailed them to voice my displeasure with them because they have NO errata page on their website (http://www.barronseduc.com) for this publication and therefo
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[nq:2]The answer to the practice question is that the introductory participial phrase does not modify "they".[/nq]
[nq:1]This sentence has no problem; the participial phrase modifies the subject of the main clause. Someone was wrong to say that it had a problem. Or, check you material. You may have been asked to determind =whether= the sentence has a dangling-element error.[/nq]
Double che
[nq:1]This sentence has no problem; the participial phrase modifies the subject of the main clause. Someone was wrong to say that it had a problem. Or, check you material. You may have been asked to determind =whether= the sentence has a dangling-element error.[/nq]
Double che
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[nq:1]Hello, I am studying for the English Composition CLEP and there is a sentence in Barron's study guide with which ... fooled by airline schedules. The answer to the practice question is that the introductory participial phrase does not modify "they".[/nq]
The answer to the practice question is correct. The introductory phrase is an adverbial modifier; it modifies the verb "left", not the
The answer to the practice question is correct. The introductory phrase is an adverbial modifier; it modifies the verb "left", not the
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Mary Ng wrote on 07 Dec 2004:
[nq:2]I am studying for the English Composition CLEP and there ... is that the introductory participial phrase does not modify "they".[/nq]
[nq:1]The answer to the practice question is correct. The introductory phrase is an adverbial modifier; it modifies the verb "left", not the subject "they". The adverbial modifier tells "when" they left the airport.[/nq]
[nq:2]I am studying for the English Composition CLEP and there ... is that the introductory participial phrase does not modify "they".[/nq]
[nq:1]The answer to the practice question is correct. The introductory phrase is an adverbial modifier; it modifies the verb "left", not the subject "they". The adverbial modifier tells "when" they left the airport.[/nq]
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[nq:1]Mary Ng wrote on 07 Dec 2004:[/nq]
[nq:2]The answer to the practice question is correct. The introductory ... "they". The adverbial modifier tells "when" they left the airport.[/nq]
[nq:1]So you are saying that "After watching 15 planes land, they left" is grammatically incorect because the introductory clause does not modify "they" but "left"? If so, then you must think that "After
[nq:2]The answer to the practice question is correct. The introductory ... "they". The adverbial modifier tells "when" they left the airport.[/nq]
[nq:1]So you are saying that "After watching 15 planes land, they left" is grammatically incorect because the introductory clause does not modify "they" but "left"? If so, then you must think that "After
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OK so it looks like the proverbial can of worms has been opened.
Thank you for your reply Mary.
If you are saying the sentence is ok as it is then the book is still wrong, because the book is definitely saying there is something wrong with the sentence that has to do with dangling elements and misplaces modifiers.
I am curious- why would it matter whether the introductory par
Thank you for your reply Mary.
If you are saying the sentence is ok as it is then the book is still wrong, because the book is definitely saying there is something wrong with the sentence that has to do with dangling elements and misplaces modifiers.
I am curious- why would it matter whether the introductory par
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