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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Misplaced modifier or dangling modifier?
Hi. Would you say this is the case of a misplaced modifier or dangling modifier? (I don't know the term "dangling modifier" is the right term to use for the situation here.) Please see the underlined part.
Joe had told John to assume the role of a servant, taking off his robe and sandals to go about barefoot.
In this kind of participle modification situation, that is, when a participle clause is used as a modifier in a sentence, would you say both of these are needed to be met: 1) the participle modifier should be closely as possible to the word it modifies and 2) the referent should be clear.
Would you consider these wrong? In these sentences, I think the referents are clear but there seems to be some distance between the referent and the participle modifier (not sure if this right words for a modifier that is a participle clause) in both sentences -- eventhough apparently there is more distance in the second sentence.
1. Joe suggested John go barefoot, taking off his shoes and socks.
2. Joe suggested John go barefoot all the way to school, taking off his shoes and socks.
Joe had told John to assume the role of a servant, taking off his robe and sandals to go about barefoot.
In this kind of participle modification situation, that is, when a participle clause is used as a modifier in a sentence, would you say both of these are needed to be met: 1) the participle modifier should be closely as possible to the word it modifies and 2) the referent should be clear.
Would you consider these wrong? In these sentences, I think the referents are clear but there seems to be some distance between the referent and the participle modifier (not sure if this right words for a modifier that is a participle clause) in both sentences -- eventhough apparently there is more distance in the second sentence.
1. Joe suggested John go barefoot, taking off his shoes and socks.
2. Joe suggested John go barefoot all the way to school, taking off his shoes and socks.
Top answer
I would say that the first sentence is awkward, but not because of the placement of the modifier. " As for the other sentences, first add in "that" -- "Joe suggested that John" do something. When the phrase is "Joe suggested John," it sounds like Joe is proposing John for some position.
- I would say that the first sentence is awkward, but not because of the placement of the modifier.
- " As for the other sentences, first add in "that" -- "Joe suggested that John" do something.
- When the phrase is "Joe suggested John," it sounds like Joe is proposing John for some position.
- Given that change, sentence 1 looks fine to me.
- Sentence 2, I agree that there is too much distance between "barefoot" and" taking off" etc.
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2 Answers
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I would say that the first sentence is awkward, but not because of the placement of the modifier. (And, no, nothing is dangling since all the modifiers have given subjects.) I would have written it: "Joe had told John to assume the role of a servant by taking off his robe and sandals and going about barefoot." This sets up a parallel structure between "taking" and "going."
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