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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Dangling Participle
Hello. I have a quick question on dangeling participles. Seeing as I have found many texts in books and magazines that seem to contradict what this particular rule is, I'd thought I'd share my issue.
Seeng Rhoney take the apple, I slowly went into my house.
I slowly went into my house, seeing Rhoney take the apple.
You see, the modifying participle phrase "seeing Rhoney take an apple" in the second sentence causes a slight misunderstanding: the house seeing Rhoney take an apple.
There's 2 issues that I think accour: When I speak the second sentence, I feel as if the house is seeing Rodney take an apple and as if I am seeing Rhoney take the apple.
I see this all the time in writing. I am wondering if it is actually correct. I know that the comma indicates the meaning of the sentence in the second sentence so that a reader will know that it is in parentheses, which means that it is non essential. I think that the parentheses tells me I saw Rhoney and that the only way to know for sure is the way it is written.
What would happen if I wrote instead "I massacured Lisa, running to the store"?
It seems so clear yet so confusing. The rule si chrystal clear yet foggy.
I could say I massacured the Lisa running to a store.
I am just wonderring if it is acceptable to use the particple at the end of the sentence like I see in most texts even when it appears to be referring to the subject fo the sentence. Should I always make the dangeling modifier in front of or exactly after the subject.
Thanks.
Seeng Rhoney take the apple, I slowly went into my house.
I slowly went into my house, seeing Rhoney take the apple.
You see, the modifying participle phrase "seeing Rhoney take an apple" in the second sentence causes a slight misunderstanding: the house seeing Rhoney take an apple.
There's 2 issues that I think accour: When I speak the second sentence, I feel as if the house is seeing Rodney take an apple and as if I am seeing Rhoney take the apple.
I see this all the time in writing. I am wondering if it is actually correct. I know that the comma indicates the meaning of the sentence in the second sentence so that a reader will know that it is in parentheses, which means that it is non essential. I think that the parentheses tells me I saw Rhoney and that the only way to know for sure is the way it is written.
What would happen if I wrote instead "I massacured Lisa, running to the store"?
It seems so clear yet so confusing. The rule si chrystal clear yet foggy.
I could say I massacured the Lisa running to a store.
I am just wonderring if it is acceptable to use the particple at the end of the sentence like I see in most texts even when it appears to be referring to the subject fo the sentence. Should I always make the dangeling modifier in front of or exactly after the subject.
Thanks.
Top answer
Sometimes the participial phrase is adverbial, that is, it applies to the whole sentence, not just the subject. Certainly at least in those cases you can place the participial phrase at the end of the sentence. This placement is probably even better when the participial phrase expresses a consequence of the main clause.
- Sometimes the participial phrase is adverbial, that is, it applies to the whole sentence, not just the subject.
- Certainly at least in those cases you can place the participial phrase at the end of the sentence.
- This placement is probably even better when the participial phrase expresses a consequence of the main clause.
- The army invaded, causing terrible damage.
- We all scooted over, leaving room for the others to sit down.
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1 Answers
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Sometimes the participial phrase is adverbial, that is, it applies to the whole sentence, not just the subject. Certainly at least in those cases you can place the participial phrase at the end of the sentence. This placement is probably even better when the participial phrase expresses a consequence of the main clause.
The army invaded, causing terrible damage.
We all sc
The army invaded, causing terrible damage.
We all sc
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