While taking a shower in the morning...

Question

HiI am aware that the following sentence is a dangling modifier, but wouldn't it work at all in casual  English? Any suggestions are welcome.While taking a shower in the morning, some water got into my ear and hasn't cleared?? yet.Thanks,Tom

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

It would work adequately, I suppose, but this dangler is rather obvious. I would certainly change it:

While I was taking a shower this morning, water got into my ear and it hasn't drained out yet.

Mr. Tom · Answer

Thanks, MM.

So can we also use "drain out" for eyes?

While I was taking playing in the garden this morning, something got got into my eye and it hasn't drained out yet.

Tom

Mister Micawber · Answer

Mr. TomSo can we also use "drain out" for eyes?

Why would you assume that?

Mr. Tom · Answer

Yes, MM; I asked this question because we don't have any volitional control over our ears; if water gets into them, we have to wait patiently until it drains out itself. Also, in my experience, it's only water that gets into our ears, so "drain out", to me, seems a reasonable phrase.

However, with eyes, the whole case is a different kettle of fish. When something gets into our eyes, we start all kinds of attempts to remove it and generally don't wait for it to 'drain out'. And, in the case of eyes, the culprit doesn't necessarily have to be water; it can be a spec of dust or an insect, etc.

So, can we use "drain out" with eyes?

Thanks again,

Tom

Mister Micawber · Answer

Mr. TomHowever, with eyes, the whole case is a different kettle of fish.

Yes, indeed—it is not water or a liquid that gets in them, which is critical to 'drained'.

Mr. TomSo, can we use "drain out" with eyes?

So, no.

While I was in the garden this morning, something got got into my eye and I haven't been able to get it out yet.

While taking a shower in the morning...

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