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Question

Difficulty: HardMisplaced and Dangling Modifiers

The sentence below contains a dangling modifier error because the action in the introductory phrase is not performed by the subject that immediately follows it. Read the sentence and select the phrasing from the list below that correctly completes the sentence. Which phrasing should be filled in the blank to ensure the modifier is placed correctly?

List of options:
- a detailed timeline of prehistoric atmospheric changes was reconstructed by the climatologist
- it was possible for the climatologist to reconstruct a detailed timeline of prehistoric atmospheric changes
- the climatologist reconstructed a detailed timeline of prehistoric atmospheric changes
- the reconstruction of a detailed timeline of prehistoric atmospheric changes was completed by the climatologist

Answer:By analyzing the core samples retrieved from the Antarctic ice sheet, 【the climatologist reconstructed a detailed timeline of prehistoric atmospheric changes】.

Answer

the climatologist reconstructed a detailed timeline of prehistoric atmospheric changes
The introductory phrase 'By analyzing the core samples retrieved from the Antarctic ice sheet' describes an action ('analyzing'). The noun that immediately follows the comma must be the logical subject performing this action. The climatologist is the person who analyzed the core samples. Therefore, starting the main clause with 'the climatologist' establishes a logical and grammatically correct relationship between the modifier and its subject.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifying phrase and the action it describes.
The introductory phrase is 'By analyzing the core samples retrieved from the Antarctic ice sheet,' which describes the action of analyzing core samples.
Before resolving a dangling modifier, you must identify what action is being performed and who or what is logically performing that action.
2
Determine the logical subject of that action.
A person must perform the action of analyzing core samples. In this context, that person is the climatologist.
The introductory modifier must directly modify the noun that performs the action.
3
Select the clause where the logical subject immediately follows the comma.
The clause beginning with 'the climatologist' must follow the introductory phrase, resulting in: 'By analyzing the core samples retrieved from the Antarctic ice sheet, the climatologist reconstructed a detailed timeline of prehistoric atmospheric changes.'
This construction ensures the modifier is placed adjacent to the noun it modifies, eliminating the dangling modifier.

Key Concept

Introductory modifier placement and dangling modifiers
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Topics

Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

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