Past Participle Modifier.

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Past Participle Modifier.

by avik.ch » Wed Feb 22, 2012 8:31 am
According to Doing Grammar by Max Morenberg, Non Restrictive Participle Phrase acts as an adverb Modifier.

Non Restrictive Past participle modifier indicates adverb of reason.

Prodded by public opinion, three senators reversed their vote on the controversial tax bill.

Three senators,prodded by public opinion, reversed their vote on the controversial tax bill.

Three senators reversed their vote on the controversial tax bill,prodded by public opinion.

Since "prodded by public opinion" is an adverb modifier, it can be placed anywhere in the sentence. Though on stylistic ground - the first is preferred as cause is presented first and then the effect.

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OG SC #28.

Building on civilizations that preceded them in coastal Peru, the Mochica developed their own elaborate society, based on cultivating such crops like corn and beans, the harvesting of fish and shellfish, and exploiting other wild and domestic resources.

(A) based on cultivating such crops like corn and beans, the harvesting of fish and shellfish, and exploiting
(B)based on the cultivation of such crops as corn and beans, the harvesting of fish and seafood, and the exploitation of
(C) and basing it on the cultivation of crops like corn and beans, harvesting fish and seafood, and the exploiting of
(D) and they based on their cultivation of crops such as corn and beans, the harvest of fish and seafood, and exploiting
(E) and the based it on their cultivating such crops like corn and beans, their harvest of fish and shellfish, and the exploited

The OA is B. Here "based on.....", Non Restrictive Past participle modifies the society - the noun preceding it. This type of modification happen for restrictive modifier. But how this is valid here with comma ?

Please help.
Source: — Sentence Correction |

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by GMATGuruNY » Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:14 am
Three senators reversed their vote on the controversial tax bill, prodded by public opinion.
The structure above is common in the real world but is to be avoided on the GMAT. On the GMAT, COMMA + VERBed should refer to the closest preceding NOUN or NOUN PHRASE.

Since prodded by public opinion explains WHY the senators reversed their vote, the phrase can be viewed as an adverb modifying the preceding clause. But each word WITHIN the modifier has its OWN function. Prodded is an ADJECTIVE. Who was prodded? The SENATORS. On the GMAT, a modifier should be as close as possible to what it's modifying. Thus, we should look for an answer choice that positions prodded closer to senators.

For more on this issue, check my second post here:

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