Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 69%

Which one of the following sentences contains a dangling modifier?

Rationale

My brother had an old truck that sat by the garage that needed paint.

This sentence contains a dangling modifier because the phrase "that needed paint" is incorrectly placed, making it seem as if "the garage" is the subject that needs paint instead of the truck. This misplacement creates confusion regarding what the modifier actually describes.

A (Drivers in our state are confused by the outdated driving law.) YOUR ANSWER

This sentence is clear and correctly structured. There are no dangling modifiers, as the subject "drivers" is directly related to the action of being confused by the outdated law, maintaining a logical connection throughout.

B (The contented puppy sat by the sleeping young child.) YOUR ANSWER

This sentence is also free of dangling modifiers. It presents a clear relationship between the subject "the contented puppy" and its action of sitting beside "the sleeping young child," without any ambiguity or misplaced modifiers.

D (Adequate lighting is important for anyone who is studying or reading.) YOUR ANSWER

This sentence maintains clarity and coherence. The subject "adequate lighting" is properly tied to the predicate "is important for anyone," ensuring that there are no dangling modifiers present. The intended meaning is straightforward and direct.

Conclusion

Dangling modifiers can lead to confusion in sentence structure, as seen in the example of the old truck. In contrast, the other sentences maintain clarity through direct and logical relationships between subjects and their actions. Recognizing and correcting dangling modifiers is essential for effective communication, ensuring that the intended meaning is conveyed without ambiguity.

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