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Difficulty: MediumMisplaced and Dangling Modifiers

In the sentence below, the underlined portion may contain an error.

Restored using delicate Japanese tissue paper, the archivist preserved the map's fragile parchment for future display.

Which choice best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence?

  1. A
    the archivist preserved the map's fragile parchment
  2. the map's fragile parchment was preserved by the archivistAnswer
  3. C
    the archivist preserved the map's fragile parchment, it was then ready
  4. D
    the archivist, who preserved the map's fragile parchment,

Answer

the map's fragile parchment was preserved by the archivist
The introductory phrase 'Restored using delicate Japanese tissue paper' describes an action performed on the parchment, not the archivist. To correct this dangling modifier, the subject immediately following the comma must be the noun that is modified, which is 'the map's fragile parchment'. The choice stating 'the map's fragile parchment was preserved by the archivist' properly places the correct subject after the modifier and maintains a grammatically complete and clear sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory phrase and determine what it logically describes.
The phrase 'Restored using delicate Japanese tissue paper' describes an object that can be physically restored, which is the map's fragile parchment.
An introductory modifying phrase must logically describe the subject of the clause that immediately follows it.
2
Evaluate the options to find the one where the correct subject follows the comma without introducing new grammatical errors.
The choice starting with 'the map's fragile parchment' correctly aligns the modifier and forms a complete passive-voice sentence.
Aligning the modifier with its correct target resolves the dangling modifier error.

Key Concept

An introductory participial phrase must modify the subject of the independent clause that immediately follows it. If the subject of the clause is not the entity described by the introductory phrase, the modifier is dangling.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

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