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

Standard English Conventions practice question

Counting the gulls' nests from the cliff top, ____

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

  1. A. the warden recorded fewer than in any previous year.Correct
  2. B. fewer nests were recorded than in any previous year.
  3. C. the total was the lowest in any year.
  4. D. there were fewer than in any previous year.

Answer: A. the warden recorded fewer than in any previous year.

The warden is doing the counting, so the warden must be the subject.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. fewer nests were recorded than in any previous year.
Makes the nests do the counting.
C. the total was the lowest in any year.
Makes the total do the counting.
D. there were fewer than in any previous year.
'There' cannot count.

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