Dangling Modifiers
Question: Flying over the oak tree, the farmer saw the flock of birds that had damaged his crops.
My answer: The farmer saw the flock of birds that had damaged his crops as they flew over the oak tree.
correct
Dangling Modifiers
Question: Ironing out all wrinkles, the pants looked much more presentable.
My answer: The pants looked much more presentable after ironing out all the wrinkles.
correct
Dangling Modifiers
Question: The police chief posted the mandate against hubcap theft on Monday afternoon.
My answer: On Monday afternoon, the police chief posted the mandate against hubcap theft.
correct
Dangling Modifiers
Question: Until the beef has been rubbed with garlic oil, do not put it into the skillet.
My answer: No change
correct
Dangling Modifiers
Question: He found his glasses crawling under the couch.
My answer: By crawling under the couch, he found his classes.
correct
Predications
Question: Our resolutions should begin at midnight on January 1.
My answer: Out resolutions should begin on January 1 at midnight.
Does that mean at the beginning of January 1 or at the end of January 1? It'd probably be better to say "...at 12:01 am on January 1" if that's what you mean.
Predications
Question: The reason for the cat’s illness is because she was allergic to the dog.
My answer: No change
The problem is the use of the word "because." You already have "the reason" in the sentence and now you need an introtuctory word for the clause AFTER the main (linking) verb that makes it a noun clause, not an adverbial clause. Change "because" to "that" and you'll be fine.
Predications
Question: A book that has an exciting introduction and a surprising ending would be the best story for me to read.
My answer: A book with an exciting introduction and a surprising ending would be the best story for me to read.
http://aristotle.tamu.edu/~rasmith/Courses/Ancient/predication.html
Scroll down to the section on "Two Divisions of 'Things that are'..." to see if this sentence is properly balanced on both sides of the linking verb.
Predications
Question: The driving exam is when one is tested on the rules of the road.
My answer: The driving exam is a test on the rules of the road.
correct
Predications
Question: The Homeowners’ Association rules were created to ensure that the neighborhood looked nice.
My answer: No change
correct
Dangling Modifiers and Predictions:
Rewrite the following sentences, focusing on the grammar area.
If the sentence is already correct, write No Change.
Dangling Modifiers
Question: Flying over the oak tree, the farmer saw the flock of birds that had damaged his crops.
My answer: The farmer saw the flock of birds that had damaged his crops as they flew over the oak tree.
Dangling Modifiers
Question: Ironing out all wrinkles, the pants looked much more presentable.
My answer: The pants looked much more presentable after ironing out all the wrinkles.
Dangling Modifiers
Question: The police chief posted the mandate against hubcap theft on Monday afternoon.
My answer: On Monday afternoon, the police chief posted the mandate against hubcap theft.
Dangling Modifiers
Question: Until the beef has been rubbed with garlic oil, do not put it into the skillet.
My answer: No change
Dangling Modifiers
Question: He found his glasses crawling under the couch.
My answer: By crawling under the couch, he found his classes.
Predications
Question: Our resolutions should begin at midnight on January 1.
My answer: Out resolutions should begin on January 1 at midnight.
Predications
Question: The reason for the cat’s illness is because she was allergic to the dog.
My answer: No change
Predications
Question: A book that has an exciting introduction and a surprising ending would be the best story for me to read.
My answer: A book with an exciting introduction and a surprising ending would be the best story for me to read.
Predications
Question: The driving exam is when one is tested on the rules of the road.
My answer: The driving exam is a test on the rules of the road.
Predications
Question: The Homeowners’ Association rules were created to ensure that the neighborhood looked nice.
My answer: No change
3 answers
Dangling Modifiers
Question: Ironing out all wrinkles, the pants looked much more presentable.
My answer: The pants looked much more presentable after ironing out all the wrinkles.
Those pants didn't iron itself. There has to be a person involved. Better would be - the pants looked much more presentable after I ironed out all the wrinkles.
Question: Ironing out all wrinkles, the pants looked much more presentable.
My answer: The pants looked much more presentable after ironing out all the wrinkles.
Those pants didn't iron itself. There has to be a person involved. Better would be - the pants looked much more presentable after I ironed out all the wrinkles.
Good catch, GuruBlue!