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Question

Difficulty: HardAdjectives, Adverbs, and Modifiers

Consider the following draft sentence intended for an administrative report:

'Having meticulously analyzed the preliminary survey data, several unexpected discrepancies were observed by the lead investigator during the audit.'

Which of the following options provides a grammatically correct revision that resolves the misplaced participial modifier while maintaining appropriate modifier placement and word choice?

  1. Having meticulously analyzed the preliminary survey data, the lead investigator observed several unexpected discrepancies during the audit.Answer
  2. B
    Having meticulously analyzed the preliminary survey data, the audit revealed several unexpected discrepancies to the lead investigator.
  3. C
    Having meticulously analyzed the preliminary survey data, the lead investigator observed several unexpected discrepancies that were complimentary to the main findings.
  4. D
    Having meticulously analyzed the preliminary survey data, the lead investigator performed a deep scrutiny of the unexpected discrepancies during the audit.

Answer

Having meticulously analyzed the preliminary survey data, the lead investigator observed several unexpected discrepancies during the audit.
The correct revision places the logical actor ('the lead investigator') immediately after the introductory participial phrase ('Having meticulously analyzed the preliminary survey data'). This satisfies the rule of modifier proximity and ensures the sentence is clear and grammatically sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory participial phrase and its logical subject.
The phrase 'Having meticulously analyzed the preliminary survey data' functions as an adjectival modifier. The entity performing the action of analyzing is 'the lead investigator'.
Participial modifiers at the start of a sentence must directly modify the noun or pronoun that immediately follows the comma.
2
Evaluate the main clause subject in each choice.
In the original draft and certain revisions, the phrase precedes 'several unexpected discrepancies' or 'the audit', creating a dangling modifier error.
An inanimate object like an audit or a set of discrepancies cannot perform the action of meticulously analyzing data.
3
Check for lexical accuracy and natural collocation in the modifier construction.
The correct option positions 'the lead investigator' directly after the modifying clause and avoids confusable homophones or unnatural verb-modifier collocations.
Grammatical accuracy requires both proper syntax (modifier placement) and semantic precision (lexical choice).

Key Concept

Participial Modifiers and Modifier Placement
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Topics

Adjectives, Adverbs, and Modifiers

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