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How to approach this modifier problem

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by ceilidh.erickson » Wed Jul 09, 2014 6:58 am
Modifier issues are usually dependent on meaning.

When a sentence begins "reaching a decision...," the subject that comes after that comma must be the person (or entity) who reached a decision. From a meaning perspective, "politicians" are capable of reaching decisions, but "ambitious plans" are inanimate abstract nouns, so they cannot reach decisions.
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by EducationAisle » Wed Jul 09, 2014 8:32 am
phanikpk wrote:Hello experts,

In the below question, How the modifier can be politicians, but not an ambitious plan. Please explain
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Technically, neither politicians nor ambitious plan is the modifier; the modifier is: Finally reaching a decision on an issue that has long been politically charged in the Pacific Northwest.

This modifier belongs to a category of grammatical construction called participial phrases. A participial phrase such as this one modifies the word/phrase that is immediately next to it, in this case politicians (in the original sentence).

p.s. Our book SC Nirvana discusses Participial phrases, their application and examples in significant detail. If you can PM you email, I can send you the corresponding section.
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