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Difficulty: HardMisplaced and Dangling Modifiers

In the sentence below, the underlined portion contains a dangling modifier error:

'Having analyzed the soil samples collected from the Martian surface, the presence of organic molecules was confirmed by the team of astrobiologists.'

To correct this error, the subject of the main clause must be the entity that actually performed the analysis. Rewrite the underlined portion to make the sentence grammatically correct, using the active voice and starting with 'the team of astrobiologists'.

Answer:Having analyzed the soil samples collected from the Martian surface, 【the team of astrobiologists confirmed the presence of organic molecules】.

Answer

the team of astrobiologists confirmed the presence of organic molecules
The correct construction places the logical performer of the action ('the team of astrobiologists') as the subject of the main clause immediately following the introductory modifier. This resolves the dangling modifier because the team is the entity that analyzed the soil samples.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifier and its logical subject.
The introductory phrase 'Having analyzed the soil samples collected from the Martian surface' describes an action that must be performed by a logical subject capable of analyzing soil samples.
An introductory participial phrase must modify the subject of the main clause immediately following it.
2
Evaluate the original subject and replace it with the logical subject.
The original subject 'the presence of organic molecules' cannot analyze samples. The logical subject is 'the team of astrobiologists'.
Aligning the modifier with the correct subject eliminates the dangling modifier error.
3
Restructure the main clause into the active voice starting with the logical subject.
The active voice clause is 'the team of astrobiologists confirmed the presence of organic molecules'.
This establishes clear, logical, and grammatically correct syntax.

Key Concept

Introductory modifiers must clearly and logically modify the subject of the main clause that immediately follows them.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

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