dangling participle

dangling participle
dan′gling par′ticiple
n.
gram. use a participle or participial phrase, often found at the beginning of a sentence, that appears from its position to modify an element of the sentence other than the one it was intended to modify, as plunging in
Plunging hundreds of feet into the gorge, we saw Yosemite Falls[/ex]
•
usage: Most usage guides warn against the dangling participle, advising revision of any sentence containing one. The example above would be recast as We saw Yosemite Falls plunging hundreds of feet into the gorge. dangling participles have long appeared in literary English and today are commonplace in speech and edited writing: Looking to the west, a deep river valley can be seen. Obviously, the river valley is not looking to the west, but here the sentence is clear and stylistically unexceptionable. When a dangling participle creates confusion or unintentional silliness (Having finished our breakfast, the boat was loaded and launched), then revision becomes necessary. Regardless of their position, certain participial constructions are never felt to be dangling. Some of these are simply independent phrases, and others function as conjunctions or prepositions: Generally speaking, the report is true. She looks wonderful, considering she has been through so much. Assuming congressional approval, the bill will go to the president Friday. See also misplaced modifier .

From formal English to slang. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • dangling participle — Gram. a participle or participial phrase, often found at the beginning of a sentence, that appears from its position to modify an element of the sentence other than the one it was intended to modify, as plunging in Plunging hundreds of feet into… …   Universalium

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