Which revision fixes the dangling modifier in this sentence?

While reading a new mystery book, my dog curled up in my lap and slept.

A.) Curled up in my lap, my dog slept while reading a new mystery book.

B.) While I was reading a new mystery book, my dog curled up in my lap and slept.

C.) My dog, while reading a new mystery book, curled up in my lap and slept.

D.) Curling up in my lap while reading a new mystery book, my dog slept.

Question

English

Alyson Gill

30 June, 18:18

Which revision fixes the dangling modifier in this sentence?

While reading a new mystery book, my dog curled up in my lap and slept.

A.) Curled up in my lap, my dog slept while reading a new mystery book.

B.) While I was reading a new mystery book, my dog curled up in my lap and slept.

C.) My dog, while reading a new mystery book, curled up in my lap and slept.

D.) Curling up in my lap while reading a new mystery book, my dog slept.

+5

Answers (2)

Know the Answer?

Charlie · Answer 1

The correct answer is:

While I was reading a new mystery book, my dog curled up in my lap and slept.

Milo Gray · Answer 2

The correct answer is option B.

Explanation:

A dangling modifier sometimes makes the sentence nonsense or create a sort of ambiguity. In option A, C, and D, it is not clear who is the subject. Moreover, in C, it seems as if were the dog who was reading the book.

Option B is correct because it adds a subject to the action of reading the book and states clearly that it was the dog who curled up in the lap and slept.