Every participle should have a noun or pronoun to which it is clearly added. It should not "dangle," and it should not seem to be added to a wrong word.

Exercise 236

Most of these sentences are taken from school compositions or newspapers. Analyze each as far as you can, explain errors in construction, and rewrite in clear form. If necessary, reword the sentence, using a noun or pronoun to which the loosely attached participle may be clearly added. Often you can make a sentence clear by changing a participle and its adjuncts to an adverbial phrase or clause. In some cases make two sentences of one.

1. Working hard all day, the task was finished at sunset.

2. Multiplying by seven and dividing by five, the result is twenty-five.

3. His youth was spent on his father's farm, receiving his early education in the common schools of Troy.

4. Riding along the lake boulevard at Duluth, many handsome houses were seen.

5. Failing to comply with the order of the council, policemen were detailed to-day to arrest all car crews who did not obey it.

6. Changing the clause, when the clock struck eighty to a phrase, the sentence becomes, He went at the stroke of eight.

7. Seeing the fireman reappear with the child in his arms, a cry of joy went up from the crowd.

8. Having finished the work, it was put carefully away.

9. I heard a low rumbling of thunder listening intently.