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English 1b3 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Misplaced Modifier
Below is a sentence taken from a news article about a man who was turned down from a bar for being too old:
"Respectably dressed and not overly intoxicated, he said he struggled to find any reason why they would not be allowed in."
The adjective phrase in italics modifies the underlined subject of the main clause, 'he.'
Should we recast the sentence to avoid the adjective phrase being adjacent to the incorrect subject in bold, 'he'?
Thanks
"Respectably dressed and not overly intoxicated, he said he struggled to find any reason why they would not be allowed in."
The adjective phrase in italics modifies the underlined subject of the main clause, 'he.'
Should we recast the sentence to avoid the adjective phrase being adjacent to the incorrect subject in bold, 'he'?
Thanks
Top answer
' As written, it modifies the bold 'he'. If you don't want that, then recast. Should we recast the sentence to avoid the adjective phrase being adjacent to the incorrect subject in bold , 'he'?
- ' As written, it modifies the bold 'he'.
- If you don't want that, then recast.
- Should we recast the sentence to avoid the adjective phrase being adjacent to the incorrect subject in bold , 'he'?
- Clive
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5 Answers
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Hi,
Below is a sentence taken from a news article about a man who was turned down from a bar for being too old:
"Respectably dressed and not overly intoxicated, he said he struggled to find any reason why they would not be allowed in."
The adjective phrase in italics modifies the underlined subject of
Below is a sentence taken from a news article about a man who was turned down from a bar for being too old:
"Respectably dressed and not overly intoxicated, he said he struggled to find any reason why they would not be allowed in."
The adjective phrase in italics modifies the underlined subject of
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Hi Clive,
Both 'he's' refer to the same person, but the first 'he' is when he is talking about when he was respectably dressed and not overly intoxicated. In other words, the way it is worded it says he was respectably dressed when he said he struggled to find any reason, which is not the case.
Would you say we still need to recast the sentence?
Thanks
Both 'he's' refer to the same person, but the first 'he' is when he is talking about when he was respectably dressed and not overly intoxicated. In other words, the way it is worded it says he was respectably dressed when he said he struggled to find any reason, which is not the case.
Would you say we still need to recast the sentence?
Thanks
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Both he's (he and he) refer to the same man. There's no need to recast as there is no misplaced modifier.
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meijeiBoth he's (he and he) refer to the same man. There's no need to recast as there is no misplaced modifier.But it is ambiguos. How is the reader to know when he was respectably dressed? At the time he said this, or at the time he struggled...?
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Hi,
Both 'he's' refer to the same person, but the first 'he' is when he is talking about when he was respectably dressed and not overly intoxicated. In other words, the way it is worded it says he was respectably dressed when he said he struggled to find any reason, which is not the case. We only have your word that this is
Both 'he's' refer to the same person, but the first 'he' is when he is talking about when he was respectably dressed and not overly intoxicated. In other words, the way it is worded it says he was respectably dressed when he said he struggled to find any reason, which is not the case. We only have your word that this is
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