GMAT Verbal › Correcting Dangling Modifier Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Making plenty of mistakes, the project was taken away from the young associate.
The project was taken away from the young associate because he was making plenty of mistakes.
Making plenty of mistakes, the project was taken away from the young associate.
Making plenty of mistakes so the project was taken away from the young associate.
Making plenty of mistakes, the project being taken away from the young associate.
The project was taken away from the young associate because it made plenty of mistakes.
The sentence is written in such a way to make it seem like the "project" was "making plenty of mistakes." The sentence needs to be reworded and restructured to show that it was "the young associate" who was "making plenty of mistakes." The correct answer choice is the only answer choice that makes this clear, "The project was taken away from the young associate because he was making plenty of mistakes."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Caring for a pet, responsibility is something children can learn.
Responsibility is something children can learn by caring for a pet.
Caring for a pet, responsibility is something children can learn.
Caring for a pet responsibility is something children can learn.
Caring for a pet, responsibility is learned by children.
Caring for a pet, responsibility is something children learn.
With the sentence phrased the way it is, the thing that is "caring for a pet" appears to be "responsibility." This dangling modifier needs to be changed to make it clear that "children" are "caring for a pet." The correct answer choice is "Responsibility is something children can learn by caring for a pet."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Coming back to the farm, the gruesome scene was seen by everyone in the car.
everyone in the car saw the gruesome scene.
the gruesome scene was seen by everyone in the car.
the gruesome scene saw by everyone in the car.
the gruesome scene was seen by everyone at the car.
the gruesome scene being seen by everyone in the car.
The sentence is written with a dangling modifier, which makes the sentence read as though the "gruesome scene" was what was "coming back to the farm." The sentence needs to be restructured to clarify this problem. The only answer choice that does this is "everyone in the car saw the gruesome scene."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Passing by the waterfront, the ducks and geese floated around as spectators strolled.
spectators strolled as the ducks and geese floated around.
the ducks and geese were floating around as spectators strolled.
the ducks and geese and spectators floated around and strolled.
spectators strolled but the ducks and geese floated around.
the ducks and geese floated around as spectators strolled.
The best answer fixes the dangling participle that starts the sentence (the subject of the main clause should be the one doing the action described in the opening phrase), and uses a logical coordinator.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Moving into his new house, the wallpaper was completely renovated by the homeowner.
the homeowner completely renovated the wallpaper.
the wallpaper were completely renovated by the homeowner.
the wallpaper was completely renovated by the homeowner.
the wallpaper were completely renovation by the homeowner.
the wallpaper completely renovated by the homeowner.
The sentence is written in such a way that it makes it seem like "the wallpaper" was "moving into his new house." The sentence needs to be rearranged to show that the "homeowner" is actually the one doing the moving. The only answer choice that does this is "the homeowner completely renovated the wallpaper."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Coming upon the hills, the sun began setting behind the travelers.
As the travelers came upon the hill, the sun began setting behind them.
Coming upon the hills, the sun began setting behind the travelers.
Coming upon the hills as the sun began setting begind the travelers.
As the sun began setting, travelers coming upon the hills.
Coming upon the hills, the sun set behind the travelers.
The sentence as written contains a dangling modifier, in that "the sun" is not what is "coming upon the hills." The sentence needs to be rewritten to show that the travelers were the ones "coming upon the hills." "As the travelers came upon the hill, the sun began setting behind them," is the correct answer choice.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Waiting for the crucial trial to begin, the anxiety Neil felt was almost overwhelming.
Neil felt almost overwhelmed with anxiety.
the anxiety Neil felt was almost overwhelming.
the anxiety almost overwhelmed Neil.
the anxiety being felt by Neil was almost overwhelming.
Neil's anxiety felt almost overwhelming.
When a sentence begins with a dangling participle or descriptive phrase, the person or thing described in that phrase (in this case, "Neil") must immediately follow it. Only one answer choice does this correctly. The answer choice that begins "Neil's anxiety" may appear to do so, but it does not, because the possessive "Neil's" is no longer the subject, but is describing the anxiety.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Trying to keep her balance on the tightrope, the trapeze artist’s toe caught the rope and somersaulted onto the net below.
the trapeze artist caught the rope with her toes and somersaulted onto the net below.
the trapeze artist’s toes caught the rope and somersaulted onto the net below.
the toes of the trapeze artist caught the rope and somersaulted onto the net below.
the trapeze artist caught the rope with her toes, which made her somersault onto the net below.
the trapeze artist somersaulted onto the net below when her toes were caught in the rope.
After the comma we need the name of the person. In this sentence the dependent introductory clause (which is not underlined) is "her" which cannot describe a "toe." In order to fix this dangling modifier, the subject of the main clause needs to be changed to "the trapeze artist."
Playing the piano for over an hour, Tyler’s soreness prevented him from performing his best.
Having played the piano for over an hour, Tyler was unable to perform well because of his soreness.
Playing the piano for over an hour, Tyler’s soreness prevented him from performing well.
Having played the piano for over an hour, Tyler’s soreness prevented him from performing well.
Playing the piano for over an hour, Tyler was unable to perform well because of his soreness.
Having played the piano for over an hour, Tyler’s performing well was prevented by soreness.
There are two problems with the initial sentence. First, playing modifies Tyler, not his soreness. Second, the participle is in the wrong form. It should be in the perfect form, having played. Only past action could have caused his current soreness.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
After completing the circuitous trek and reaching the summit, the view was completely obstructed by an immense bank of fog.
and reaching the summit, I could not enjoy the view because it was completely obstructed by an immense bank of fog.
and reaching the summit, the view was completely obstructed by an immense bank of fog
and having reached the summit, the view was completely obstructed by an immense bank of fog
and the summit reached, I could not enjoy the view because it was completely obstructed by an immense bank of fog
and reaching the summit, obstructed completely by an immense bank of fog, I could not enjoy the view
The question is an example of a dangling modifier. The dependent clause must modify the subject of the independent clause. In this case, the subject that it modifies (ostensibly, a hiker of some sort) is absent from the sentence. The correct version includes a subject that agrees with the modifying dependent clause.