Question about modifiers?

[nanushka]

Hello Manhattan GMAT Staff,

Is it correct to put a verb modifier(comma+ verb+ing) between the subject and the verb?
For instance: "Sam,driving slowly,reached home." Is there a stylistic change if we write- "Sam reached home,driving slowly" or "Driving slowly,Sam reached home" ?


Thank you for your attention!

Nane

[ashvin.gaur]

"Sam,driving slowly,reached home."

This is the case of middle modifier (driving slowly) introduced by present participle and separated by comma from the noun (which it modifies). This is non-essential modifier and refers to the immediately preceding noun. This modifier just details more about the preceding noun.

"Sam reached home,driving slowly"
This is the case of end modifier (driving slowly) - beginning with present participle (driving) and separated by comma. In this case the modifier refers to the immediately preceding noun - which in present statement is home. AND as home was never (and can never) drive therefore the statement is wrong.

"Driving slowly,Sam reached home"
This is the case of opening modifier (Driving slowly)introduced by present participle - Driving. This is a non-essential modifier and modifies (or details about) the immediately following noun - Sam.

Please feel free to add more in case I have missed few finer details.

-regards
AG.

[nanushka]

Thanks ashvin.gaur for your opinion,

I understand the third version about opening modifier.

But second one-how I know- is a comma+ing modifier and refers to the whole preceding clause and not to the preceding noun "home". If there were not a comma before home then it could modify the "home".

I am not sure about the middle modifier,when the preceding word is just a single noun,how that works...
And would like to know about the stylistic differences between them.

Nane

[tim]

AG is wrong in the second example. i don't see anything wrong with any of the three examples. the main thing to keep in mind is that the GMAT will never require you to choose among these options on stylistic grounds..

[nanushka]

Thanks Tim!

[tim]

my pleasure!