Killing

Question

I have two questions.1. I would like to know the subject of "kill".The plane crashed, killing all 200 people aboard.2. I wonder if which is correct.a. The plane crashed, killing all 100 people aboard. = The plane crashed and killed all 100 people aboard.b. The plane crashed, killing all 100 people aboard. =  The plane crashed, which killed all 100 people aboard.

BarbaraPA · Accepted Answer

It was the act of crashing that killed the people, so your second one.

CalifJim · Answer

WowenglishI have two questions.
1. I would like to know the subject of "kill".The plane crashed, killing all 200 people aboard. 2. I wonder if which is correct.a. The plane crashed, killing all 100 people aboard. = The plane crashed and killed all 100 people aboard.b. The plane crashed, killing all 100 people aboard. = The plane crashed, which killed all 100 people aboard.

There is no subject of "killing", though you might say that it inherits an implied subject from the main clause, making "plane" the subject.

When you see a main clause followed by a participle construction like this, you can often (but not always) add "thereby" ("by this means") or "thus" ("in this way") before the participle to clarify the meaning.

The flood spread over hundreds of thousands of acres, causing a great deal of destruction.
The flood spread ..., thereby causing .... (By this means, the flood caused the destruction.)

We opened all the doors and windows, allowing fresh air to circulate through the rooms.

The workmen drilled a big hole into the mine, providing an escape route for the trapped miners.

CJ

Killing

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