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

Standard English Conventions practice question

Waiting for the tide to turn, ____

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

  1. A. the fishermen mended their nets on the quay.Correct
  2. B. the nets were mended on the quay.
  3. C. the quay was where the nets were mended.
  4. D. the mending of the nets took place on the quay.

Answer: A. the fishermen mended their nets on the quay.

Those waiting are the fishermen, so they must be the subject.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. the nets were mended on the quay.
Makes the nets the ones waiting.
C. the quay was where the nets were mended.
Makes the quay the one waiting.
D. the mending of the nets took place on the quay.
Makes the mending the one waiting.

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