SATAdvanced (700+)Frequency: 2 questions
Dangling Modifiers & Participial Phrases
When a sentence begins with an introductory descriptive phrase (like 'Walking through the ancient ruins, ...'), the noun immediately following the comma MUST be the actual subject performing the action.
Core Formula & Concept Cheat Sheet
1[Introductory Modifier], [Subject being described] + [Verb]...
2Incorrect: 'Having read the book, the movie was disappointing to Mark.' (The movie didn't read the book!)
3Correct: 'Having read the book, Mark found the movie disappointing.'
The 700+ Score Trap
Placing a possessive noun (e.g. 'Jane's eyes') after the comma when Jane is the person performing the action.
Test Your Mastery
Official Exam FormatLive Interactive Practice Drill
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Analyzing seismic data collected from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, ______ discovered that slow-slip events can trigger megathrust ruptures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I identify dangling modifiers quickly?
Look for an introductory phrase starting with an -ing or -ed participle followed by a comma. Check who or what immediately follows that comma.