Dangling Participles Exercise (35)
Each of the following sentences includes a dangling participle, a verb form that incorrectly appears to modify a noun or a noun phrase identifying a thing being acted on rather than modifying the reference to an actor; revise the sentences as necessary:
Answers and Explanations
When a sentence begins with a dependent clause that starts with a participle, the participle should refer to the actor in the sentence, not the thing being acted on.
1.
Original: Working from a photograph, her drawing showed a good understanding of positive and negative space.
Correct : Working from a photograph, she completed a drawing that showed a good understanding of positive and negative space.
2.
Original: Seeing that he is capable of using his time effectively, my hope is that he will try to bring that same focus to the group setting.
Correct : Seeing that he is capable of using his time effectively, I hope that he will try to bring that same focus to the group setting.
3.
Original: Sitting in the desk chair, his gaze came to rest on an object that seemed out of place.
Correct : Sitting in the desk chair, he spotted an object that seemed out of place.
4.
Original: Going by what I’ve heard, you should be prepared to compromise.
Correct : Going by what I’ve heard, I’d advise you to be prepared to compromise.
5.
Original: Listening to the music again, my memory of hearing it for the first time came back to me.
Correct : Listening to the music again, I felt a rush as I remembered hearing it for the first time.
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