CSEET · Business Communication · Essentials of Good English
Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
The sentence 'After finishing the audit, the report was sent to the board' has a dangling modifier because the opening phrase has no logical doer; the report cannot finish an audit. The other sentences place the actual doer right after the phrase or give the clause its own subject.
- AWalking to the office, Ravi saw an accident.
- BHaving reviewed the draft, the director approved the proposal.
- CAfter finishing the audit, the report was sent to the board.Correct
- DWhile Meera was drafting the email, the phone rang.
Explanation
In 'After finishing the audit, the report was sent', the phrase implies someone finished the audit, but the subject is 'the report', which cannot finish an audit. So the modifier dangles. In the first two options, Ravi and the director are the doers, and the last has its own subject in the clause.
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