Grammar

Question

hi people there,how to distinguish and avoid dangling constructions? thanks in advance

Dokterjokkebrok · Accepted Answer

don't make your sentences too long unnecessarily.

always keep in mind what the subject of your sentence is, and see if there's concord.
use (sub)ordinating conjunctions the way they ought to be used.
don't overstretch yourself in your writing
use punctuation correctly
Re-read your sentences and see if they're logical and consistent.

The term 'Dangling constructions' may consist of multiple distinct grammar topics, with which I'm not very familiar.

However, a misrelated participle is always a great (and occasionally funny) example of a construction that is confusing and therefore incorrect.

Driving a brightly colored van, the parcel was delivered by a courier. (incorrect)

Why?

Here the participle (driving) is misrelated because it seems as if it is goes with the parcel. (very strange of course). Naturally, it should be the 'courier' who drives the van.

To make this right, you could for example (1) make the main clause active or (2) switch the main clause and the subclause.

1. Driving a brightly colored van, the courier delivered the parcel.
2. The parcel was delivered by a courier, who was driving a brightly colored van.

These are much better. Especially in the latter case there can be no confusion about the van and by whom it's driven – who cannot refer to things.

Regards

Dokterjokkebrok

Grammar

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