16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardDangling modifier with an -ed opener

Standard English Conventions practice question

Delayed by fog for three hours, ____

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

  1. A. the passengers finally boarded at midnight.Correct
  2. B. midnight was the eventual boarding time.
  3. C. the boarding took place at midnight.
  4. D. the flight's departure board showed midnight.

Answer: A. the passengers finally boarded at midnight.

Those delayed are the passengers, so they must be the subject.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. midnight was the eventual boarding time.
Makes midnight the one delayed.
C. the boarding took place at midnight.
Makes the boarding the one delayed.
D. the flight's departure board showed midnight.
Makes the board the one delayed.

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