What is a dangling participle?: Difference between revisions
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A dangling participle or '''misplaced modifier''', is intended to be used to modify a noun in a sentence; however this grammar modifier[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammatical_modifier] can completely change the meaning of the sentence making the reader to misinterpret it. | |||
== '''What is a participle?''' == | == '''What is a participle?''' == | ||
In grammar[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammar],according to the Prentice-Hall Handbook for Writers, participle is a verbal used as an adjective[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjective]. Though a participle cannot make an assertion,it is derived from a verb and cam take an object and be modified by an adverb. As an adjective, a participle can modify a noun | In grammar[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammar],according to the Prentice-Hall Handbook for Writers, participle is a verbal used as an adjective[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjective]. Though a participle cannot make an assertion,it is derived from a verb and cam take an object and be modified by an adverb. As an adjective, a participle can modify a noun or pronoun[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pronoun]. | ||
The '''present particles''' ends in -ing: singing, dressing,trying. | The '''present particles''' ends in -ing: singing, dressing,trying. | ||
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It is important to avoid dangling participles. Even though, a participle does not make an assertion, nonetheless does imply an actor. Failing while trying to identify this actor creates misleading; and in some cases humorous-effects. | It is important to avoid dangling participles. Even though, a participle does not make an assertion, nonetheless does imply an actor. Failing while trying to identify this actor creates misleading; and in some cases humorous-effects. | ||
== Examples == | |||
'''''Example #1''''' | |||
'''Dangling''' | '''Dangling''' | ||
''Driving'' through the mountains, several bears were seen. | ''Driving'' through the mountains, several bears were seen. | ||
(The participle ''driving'' modifies nothing; it seems to modifies ''bears'' which is not logically related.) | |||
'''Revised''' | |||
''Driving'' through the mountains, we saw several bears. | |||
(Here, ''driving'' modifies ''we'', which is the subject of the independent clause[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_clause].) | |||
'''''Example #2''''' | |||
'''Dangling''' | |||
''Riding'' a bicycle, a ''dog'' chased me. | |||
(''Riding'' modifies nothing; it cannot logically modify ''dog''.) | |||
'''Revised''' | '''Revised''' | ||
''Riding'' my bicycle, ''I'' was chased by a dog. | |||
(''Riding'' clearly modifies ''I'', the subject of the main clause.) | |||
== '''Types of dangling constructions''' == | |||
-Dangling Particle | |||
-Dangling Gerunds[http://jaffeerevises.com/dangling.htm] | |||
-Dangling Infinitives[http://jaffeerevises.com/dangling.htm] | |||
-Dangling Elliptical Clauses | |||
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== '''References''' == | == '''References''' == | ||
Leggett, Glenn, C. David Mead and William Charvat. Prentice-Hall Handbook for Writers Fourth Edition. Prentice-Hall Inc. 1965. pp.95, 96 & 467. | Leggett, Glenn, C. David Mead and William Charvat. ''Prentice-Hall Handbook for Writers''. Fourth Edition. Prentice-Hall Inc. 1965. pp.95, 96 & 467. | ||
Latest revision as of 09:21, 19 July 2013
A dangling participle or misplaced modifier, is intended to be used to modify a noun in a sentence; however this grammar modifier[1] can completely change the meaning of the sentence making the reader to misinterpret it.
What is a participle?
In grammar[2],according to the Prentice-Hall Handbook for Writers, participle is a verbal used as an adjective[3]. Though a participle cannot make an assertion,it is derived from a verb and cam take an object and be modified by an adverb. As an adjective, a participle can modify a noun or pronoun[4].
The present particles ends in -ing: singing, dressing,trying. The past particles ends in -d, -ed, -t, -n, -en, or changes the vowel: walked, lost, seen, rung.
What is a dangling construction?
According to Prentice-Hall Handbook for Writers,dangling construction is a clause or phrase that can either modify nothing in a sentence or seems to modify a word that is not logically related. A dangling construction it is often the result of carelessness in writing and thinking.
It is important to avoid dangling participles. Even though, a participle does not make an assertion, nonetheless does imply an actor. Failing while trying to identify this actor creates misleading; and in some cases humorous-effects.
Examples
Example #1
Dangling
Driving through the mountains, several bears were seen.
(The participle driving modifies nothing; it seems to modifies bears which is not logically related.)
Revised
Driving through the mountains, we saw several bears.
(Here, driving modifies we, which is the subject of the independent clause[5].)
Example #2
Dangling
Riding a bicycle, a dog chased me.
(Riding modifies nothing; it cannot logically modify dog.)
Revised
Riding my bicycle, I was chased by a dog.
(Riding clearly modifies I, the subject of the main clause.)
Types of dangling constructions
-Dangling Particle
-Dangling Gerunds[6]
-Dangling Infinitives[7]
-Dangling Elliptical Clauses
See also
Dangling Modifier[8]
References
Leggett, Glenn, C. David Mead and William Charvat. Prentice-Hall Handbook for Writers. Fourth Edition. Prentice-Hall Inc. 1965. pp.95, 96 & 467.