Choose the sentence that correctly avoids a dangling modifier:

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. After completing the laboratory assay, the graduate student carefully cleaned the microscope.

  1. Step 1: Analyze introductory participle modifier: 'After completing the laboratory assay' implies an agent who performed the assay.
  2. Step 2: Evaluate subject alignment: In sentence 1, 'the microscope' is the grammatical subject, absurdly implying the microscope completed the assay.
  3. Step 3: Select sentence 2: 'the graduate student' is the grammatical subject who logically completed both the assay and the cleaning.
Answer
After completing the laboratory assay, the graduate student carefully cleaned the microscope.
Why not the others: 'the microscope was cleaned' creates a dangling modifier where the instrument performs the assay; 'cleaning the microscope was necessary' makes an action the subject of completing the assay; 'Completed the assay...' uses a passive participle incorrectly.

Practise more Grammar, Syntax and Sentence Structure.

Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed University of Jordan English Proficiency Test (JU-EPT) mock tests.

All Grammar, Syntax and Sentence Structure questionsTake a mock test

More Grammar, Syntax and Sentence Structure questions