Danielle:
Sorry for a delayed response. Please ignore my post. I am a bit confused with participal phrases acting as modifiers at the end of sentences.
Below is a brief summary of my understanding. Let me know if it is correct.
- Participal phrases at the begining of the sentence which are set off by a
comma act as an adjective or adverb and should touch the noun or verb they modify.
e.g.
"Helping himself to the buffet", Todd quietly thought things about foodthat were never to be discussed with anyone.
The phrase "Helping himself to the buffet" decribes what Todd is doing.
- Participal phrases at the end of sentence with a comma can modify the verb or the entire clause acting as adverbial modifier.
e.g. Dogs lick themselves all over, thinking they are superior to men.
So in this case the clause "thinking they are superior to men" acts as
an adverbial clause modifying the phrase "lick themselves over".
- Participal phrases without a comma modify the noun or verb that precedes them just as phrases introduced by relative pronouns.
e.g. The car sliding out of control toward building is going to hit the window.
The phrase "sliding out of control" describe the car.
