BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

SC - Example of Dangling modifier

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Locked
Previous Topic Next Topic
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1665
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 7:04 pm
Thanked: 165 times
Followed by:70 members

SC - Example of Dangling modifier

by karthikpandian19 » Mon Jun 18, 2012 6:46 am
Using a Zippe-type centrifuge, natural uranium can be enriched by the third hour of rotation.


(A) Using a Zippe-type centrifuge, natural uranium can be enriched by the third hour of rotation.

(B) Natural uranium can be enriched by the third hour of rotation, using a Zippe-type centrifuge.

(C) A scientist, enriching natural uranium by the third hour of rotation, can use a Zippe-type centrifuge.

(D) By rotating for three hours and using a Zippe-type centrifuge, natural uranium can be enriched by a scientist.

(E) Using a Zippe-type centrifuge, a scientist can enrich natural uranium by the third hour of rotation.
Regards,
Karthik
The source of the questions that i post from JUNE 2013 is from KNEWTON

---If you find my post useful, click "Thank" :) :)---
---Never stop until cracking GMAT---
Top
Source: — Sentence Correction |
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 1248
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 2:57 pm
Location: Everywhere
Thanked: 503 times
Followed by:192 members
GMAT Score:780

by Bill@VeritasPrep » Mon Jun 18, 2012 7:16 am
Using a Zippe-type centrifuge, natural uranium can be enriched by the third hour of rotation.


(A) Using a Zippe-type centrifuge, natural uranium can be enriched by the third hour of rotation.
(misplaced; it's not the uranium that is using the centrifuge)

(B) Natural uranium can be enriched by the third hour of rotation, using a Zippe-type centrifuge.
(still misplaced; it's not the third hour of rotation that's using the centrifuge)


(C) A scientist, enriching natural uranium by the third hour of rotation, can use a Zippe-type centrifuge.
(grammatically it might be okay, but it changes the meaning; it now sounds like the scientist is enriching uranium to use the centrifuge rather than using the centrifuge to enrich uranium)

(D) By rotating for three hours and using a Zippe-type centrifuge, natural uranium can be enriched by a scientist.
(misplaced; it's not the uranium rotating itself and using the centrifuge)


(E) Using a Zippe-type centrifuge, a scientist can enrich natural uranium by the third hour of rotation.
(correct; the scientist is using the centrifuge to enrich uranium)




This is a great example of a sentence where we have to change the meaning by adding something (the scientist). From reading the original, we should notice that we do not have a noun that can be modified by the opening phrase ("using a Zippe-type centrifuge"), which means that we have to add it ourselves. As a general rule, preserve the original meaning as much as possible; if it's illogical or impossible, look for a way to fix it.
Join Veritas Prep's 2010 Instructor of the Year, Matt Douglas for GMATT Mondays

Visit the Veritas Prep Blog

Try the FREE Veritas Prep Practice Test
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1665
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 7:04 pm
Thanked: 165 times
Followed by:70 members

by karthikpandian19 » Mon Jun 18, 2012 6:27 pm
OA is E
Regards,
Karthik
The source of the questions that i post from JUNE 2013 is from KNEWTON

---If you find my post useful, click "Thank" :) :)---
---Never stop until cracking GMAT---
Top
Post new topic Locked
• Page 1 of 1