Please refer to this post for more discussion on this topic.

https://www.beatthegmat.com/einstein-s-t ... 38-15.html

If you ask me outside of GMAT, I would say that verb-ed modifier work pretty much in the same way as verb-ing modifiers do. i.e. they are versatile modifiers that modify preceding clause when they are separated by comma and the closest noun phrase when they are not separated by comma. Thus, in the context of general English, the sentence you have stated is correct. "worried" applies to John or the preceding clause. It basically extends the thought presented in the preceding clause.

But if you ask me in the context of GMAT, I would say that your understanding is correct. i.e. verb-ed modifiers always modify the closest noun phrase. Remember OG is the prescribed syllabus. And here are a few questions in OG that test the usage of verb-ed modifiers. OG12 #56, 25, 28.

OG12#56 - This is the one in which OG explicitly implies that since comma + verb-ed modifier modifies the closest noun, the sentence is incorrect.

Many of the earliest known images of Hindu deities in India date from the time of the Kushan empire, fashioned either from the...- This sentence is incorrect since modifier should modify the images but it modifies empire.

OG12#28 - In this sentence as well comma + verb-ed modifier modifies the preceding noun correctly. It does not modify the preceding clause. Explanation clearly states that the modifier modifies the elaborate society - which is the closest noun.

The Mochica developed their own elaborate society, based on cultivating ...

OG12#5 - https://www.beatthegmat.com/variations-i ... tml#361728

Hope this helps.

Thanks,

Payal

Hi Rishi,

I believe in both posts, we are eluding to the same point See below:

Per this post: verb-ed modifiers modify the preceding noun.

Per the post (https://www.beatthegmat.com/sentence-cor ... 86697.html), details about the type of modification done with and without the comma are explained as follows:

1: Verb-ed modifiers when not separated by comma describe the preceding noun. I believe this implies such modifiers provide essential information. (remember that clause provides essential information and is not separated by comma)
2: Verb-ed modifiers when separated by comma provide additional information about the preceding noun. Or in other terms they provide non-essential information. (remember which clause provides non-essential information and is separated by comma)

Lastly, in that post, a scenario has been presented in which verb-ed modifier separated by comma applies to the subject of the preceding clause. Likewise, as I mentioned in this post, I have not as yet seen this usage in GMAT questions. So I do not believe this usage is tested in GMAT.

Hope this helps resolve the differences. In essence:
1: verb-ed modifiers modify preceding noun (with or without comma)
________1A: When not separated by comma, essential information is provided about the preceding noun.
________1B: When separated by comma, non-essential information is provided about the preceding noun.

Thanks,

Payal

Hi Rishi,

A modifier can either define the modified entity or it can simply describe or provide additional information about the modified entity. You can determine whether the modifier is defining or describing by the meaning of the sentence. However, I do not believe you need to make this distinction for the test.

And yes this applies to adjectives as well. For example:

This is red book. In this sentence "red" describes the "book".
This is John's book. In this sentence "John's" defines the modified entity "book". Note that "John's" acts as an adjective in this sentence.
Belgian coffee is my favorite. In this sentence "Belgian" defines the coffee.
I prefer dark chocolate to milk chocolate. In this sentence "dark" and "milk" define chocolate.

The "defining" part may not apply to adverbs because adverbs typically provide additional information about the modified entities.

Thanks,

Payal