Dangling Modifiers

 

Rewrite in correct form all sentences containing dangling modifiers.  Write C if a sentence is correct.

 

Example:   By shopping early in the morning, it is not difficult to find fresh tomatoes.

By shopping early in the morning, Gwen has no difficulty finding fresh tomatoes.

 

  1.   When discovered in the back of the toy store, I didn’t know whether the mother or the child was more relieved.

When the child was discovered in the back of the toy store, I didn’t know whether he or his mother was more relieved.

 

  2.   Stripped of several layers of green paint, I was delighted with my mother’s old kitchen table.

Once I had stripped it of several layers of green paint, I was delighted with my mother’s old kitchen table.

 

  3.   Having just missed the shuttle bus to the hotel, an hour’s wait was a real possibility.

Having just missed the shuttle bus to the hotel, we faced the real possibility of an hour’s wait.

 

  4.   Before listening to this new recording of Appalachian Spring, Aaron Copeland’s music had not appealed to her.

Before listening this new recording of Appalachian Spring, she had not found Aaron Copeland’s music appealing.

 

  5.   Our scheduling problems were resolved after considering two or three alternative time frames.

We resolved our scheduling problems after considering two or three alternative time frames.

 

  6.      Discovered in a box under the bed, Aunt Lou was delighted to find her long-lost silk pajamas.

Aunt Lou was delighted to discover her long-lost silk pajamas in a box under the bed.

  7.   After catching still another bulletlike pass, the coach decided to leave Cyril in as wide receiver.

After Cyril had caught still another bulletlike pass, the coach decided to leave him in as wide receiver.

 

  8.   While driving into town, it suddenly occurred to Mamie that she had forgotten her briefcase.

While driving into town, Mamie suddenly realized that she had forgotten her briefcase.

 

  9.   Invariably expecting the worst, the worst seemed invariably to descend on Mr. Tumley.

Because Mr. Tumley invariably expected the worst, the worst seemed invariably to descend on him.

 

10.   To maintain a productive discussion, there must be an effort by all of us to understand the history behind this restoration plan.

To maintain a productive discussion, all of us must make an effort to understand the history behind this restoration plan.

 

11.   Cooked over slow-burning coals, Jose knew that his hamburgers would be irresistible to the whole crowd.

Jose knew that his hamburgers, cooked over slow-burning coals, would be irresistible to the whole crowd.

 

12.   Generally speaking, the news at eleven is the last program my father watches at night. 

C

 

13.   If lost, one can always replace travelers’ checks.

If lost, travelers’ checks can always be replaced.

 

14.   Having driven home with half of the population of Houston, the prospect of going out to a movie held little appeal.

After Mona had driven home with half the population of Houston, the prospect of going out to a movie held little appeal.

 

 

15.   Elected by an overwhelming majority, no one could doubt that the legislator had the confidence of his constituency.

Because the legislator had been elected by an overwhelming majority, no one could doubt that he had the confidence of his constituency.

 

16.   Standing on the curb, the two men were so busy discussing the Super Bowl that I was certain they would miss their bus.

C

 

17.   To make a really good peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich, each ingredient must be chosen carefully.

To make a really good peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich, one must choose each ingredient carefully.

 

18.   Delivered every morning by six, Pete usually had time before class to check the box scores in the newspaper.

Because the newspaper was delivered every morning by six, Pete usually had time before class to check the box scores.

 

19.   After staring for a long moment at the key in the ignition of the locked car, there was nothing left to do but call a locksmith.

After staring for a long moment at the key in the ignition of the locked car, I knew there was nothing left to do but call a locksmith.

 

20.   In talking to Ms. Dunster, the thought occurred to me that she had no idea that her calico cat was terrorizing the neighborhood.

In talking to Ms. Dunster, I realized that she had no idea that her calico cat was terrorizing the neighborhood.