Opening the door

Question

a. He saw something terrible opening the door.
b. Opening the door, he saw something terrible,

Could these be used if he saw something terrible after opening the door?

One meaning would be he saw something terrible while opening the door. That is not the meaning I have in mind.

Many thanks.

RandomGuy · Accepted Answer

Sentence a. sounds like something terrible was opening the door. B. means “While opening the door…”.

I would say He saw something terrible on/upon opening the door / On/Upon opening the door, he saw something terrible.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

azza. He saw something terrible opening the door. b. Opening the door, he saw something terrible,

This is a typical pair of sentences used to illustrate the grammatical faux pas of the "misplaced modifier."

Sentences with misplaced modifiers can be hilarious.

Waiting for the Moonpie, the candy machine began to hum loudly.
Coming out of the market, the bananas fell on the pavement.
She handed out brownies to the children stored in tupperware.
I smelled the oysters coming down the stairs for dinner.
Driving like a maniac, the deer was hit and killed.
With his tail held high, my father led his prize poodle around the arena.
I saw the dead dog driving down the highway.

Opening the door

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