16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardDangling modifier with a passive main clause

Standard English Conventions practice question

Hoping to attract migrating birds, ____

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. the volunteers planted the marsh edge with native reeds.Correct
  2. B. native reeds were planted along the marsh edge by the volunteers.
  3. C. the marsh edge was planted with native reeds.
  4. D. native reeds now line the marsh edge.

Answer: A. the volunteers planted the marsh edge with native reeds.

The ones hoping are the volunteers, so they must be the subject after the opener.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. native reeds were planted along the marsh edge by the volunteers.
Makes the reeds the ones hoping.
C. the marsh edge was planted with native reeds.
Makes the marsh edge the one hoping.
D. native reeds now line the marsh edge.
Makes the reeds the ones hoping.

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