Dangling Modifier Lesson -1 for University Admission Test, Job Application Test, BCS Exam and Any Competitive Examination

Dangling Modifier

Dangling Modifier (ঝুলন্ত বা অসংলগ্ন বিশেষণ) হলো এমন একটি শব্দগুচ্ছ (Phrase) যা বাক্যের শুরুতে বসে কিন্তু পরবর্তী Clause-এর Subject-কে সঠিকভাবে নির্দেশ করতে পারে না।

সহজ কথায়, বাক্যের শুরুতে যদি এমন কোনো কাজ (Action) উল্লেখ থাকে, কিন্তু সেই কাজটি কে করছে (Doer) তা যদি পরবর্তী অংশের Subject হিসেবে না থাকে, তবে বাক্যটি ভুল হয়। এই ভুলকেই Dangling Modifier বলে।

Basic Principle: বাক্যের শুরুতে থাকা Introductory Phrase-এর কাজ যে ব্যক্তি বা বস্তু সম্পন্ন করে, তাকেই অবশ্যই Main Clause-এর Subject হতে হবে।

• Incorrect: Walking down the street, the trees looked beautiful.

  • (গাছ কি রাস্তায় হাঁটতে পারে? না। তাই এটি Dangling Modifier).

• Correct: Walking down the street, I saw the beautiful trees.

  • (এখানে হাঁটার কাজটি 'I' করছে এবং 'I' বাক্যের Subject)।

Rules & Methods of Correction

Dangling Modifier সংশোধন করার দুটি প্রধান উপায় আছে:

Method 1: Change the Main Subject

Introductory Phrase-এর কাজ যে করছে, তাকে Main Clause-এর Subject হিসেবে বসাতে হবে।

• Incorrect: Reading the book, the story was interesting.

• Correct: Reading the book, I found the story interesting.

Method 2: Expand the Phrase into a Clause

শুরুর Phrase-টিকে ভেঙে একটি পূর্ণাঙ্গ Clause (Subject + Verb যুক্ত) তৈরি করতে হবে।

• Incorrect: While sleeping, the phone rang.

• Correct: While I was sleeping, the phone rang.

Common Structures & Examples

1. Present Participle (Verb+ing) Phrase

• Incorrect: Flying out the window, he grabbed the papers.

  • (মানুষ জানালা দিয়ে উড়ে যায় না, কাগজ উড়ে যায়).

• Correct: He grabbed the papers flying out the window.

• Correct: As the papers were flying out the window, he grabbed them.

• Incorrect: Looking at his watch, the time was 10 AM.

• Correct: Looking at his watch, he noticed the time was 10 AM.

2. Past Participle (V3) Phrase

• Incorrect: Confused by the question, the answer could not be found.

• Correct: Confused by the question, the student could not find the answer.

3. Infinitive Phrase (To + Verb)

• Incorrect: To get a good grade, studying is necessary.

  • (Studying নিজে গ্রেড পেতে পারে না).

• Correct: To get a good grade, you must study hard.

• Incorrect: To enter the room, the key must be used.

• Correct: To enter the room, we must use the key.

4. Prepositional Phrase

• Incorrect: After jumping out of the boat, the shark bit the man.

  • (হাঙর বোট থেকে লাফ দেয়নি).

• Correct: After the man jumped out of the boat, the shark bit him.

• Correct: After jumping out of the boat, the man was bitten by a shark.

Previous Years' Questions with Explanation

01. Correct the sentence: "Driving down the road, a huge tree was seen." [DU-B]

• (A) Driving down the road, a huge tree was seen.

• (B) Driving down the road, we saw a huge tree.

• (C) A huge tree was seen driving down the road.

• (D) While driving down the road, a huge tree was seen.

Ans: (B) Explanation: গাড়ি চালানোর কাজটি 'we' করছে, কোনো 'tree' নয়। তাই Subject হিসেবে 'we' বসবে।

02. Correct the sentence: "To become a doctor, biology is compulsory."

• (A) To become a doctor, biology is compulsory.

• (B) Biology is compulsory to become a doctor.

• (C) To become a doctor, a student must study biology.

• (D) Becoming a doctor, biology is needed.

Ans: (C) Explanation: Biology ডাক্তার হতে পারে না, একজন ছাত্র হতে পারে। তাই Subject হিসেবে 'a student' সঠিক।

03. "Reading the novel, the story interested me." This sentence is —

• (A) Correct

• (B) Incorrect (Dangling Modifier)

• (C) Complex Sentence

• (D) Compound Sentence

Ans: (B) Explanation: Novel পড়ার কাজটি 'Story' করতে পারে না। সঠিক হতো: "Reading the novel, I found the story interesting."

04. Correct: "Unlike the other students, the teacher gave Rahim a prize."

• (A) Unlike the other students, Rahim was given a prize by the teacher.

• (B) Unlike the other students, the teacher gave Rahim a prize.

• (C) The teacher gave Rahim a prize unlike the other students.

• (D) Rahim, unlike the other students, gave the teacher a prize.

Ans: (A) Explanation: তুলনা করা হচ্ছে 'Rahim' এবং 'other students'-এর মধ্যে। 'Teacher' এবং 'students'-এর মধ্যে নয়। তাই Subject হিসেবে 'Rahim' আসতে হবে।

Master Exercise

Choose the correct sentence from the alternatives:

01.

• (A) Walking along the road, a bus hit him.

• (B) Walking along the road, he was hit by a bus.

• (C) While walking along the road, a bus hit him.

• (D) A bus hit him walking along the road.

Ans: (B) (হাঁটার কাজটি 'he' করছিল, বাস নয়)।

02.

• (A) Having finished the work, the TV was switched on.

• (B) Having finished the work, he switched on the TV.

• (C) The work being finished, the TV was switched on.

• (D) Both B and C.

Ans: (D) (B তে Subject ঠিক আছে; C তে Absolute Phrase ব্যবহার করা হয়েছে যা গ্রামারটিক্যালি সঠিক)।

03.

• (A) Cooked in butter, my mother makes delicious eggs.

• (B) Cooked in butter, eggs are delicious.

• (C) My mother makes delicious eggs cooked in butter.

• (D) Both B and C.

Ans: (D) (A তে বোঝাচ্ছে 'mother' কে রান্না করা হয়েছে, যা ভুল। B এবং C সঠিক)।

04.

• (A) Lying on the floor, the clock struck ten.

• (B) Lying on the floor, I heard the clock strike ten.

• (C) While lying on the floor, the clock struck ten.

• (D) The clock struck ten lying on the floor.

Ans: (B) (ঘড়ি মেঝেতে শুয়ে থাকে না, 'I' শুয়ে ছিল)।

05.

• (A) To improve your vocabulary, read more books.

• (B) To improve your vocabulary, books should be read.

• (C) Reading more books, vocabulary will be improved.

• (D) Vocabulary is improved by reading books.

Ans: (A) (Imperative sentence-এ subject 'You' উহ্য থাকে, তাই এটি সঠিক। B তে 'books' ভোকাবুলারি উন্নত করতে চায় না)।

06.

• (A) After retiring from office, the neighbors gave him a party.

• (B) After retiring from office, he was given a party by the neighbors.

• (C) Retiring from office, a party was given.

• (D) While retiring, the party was held.

Ans: (B) (অবসর গ্রহণের কাজটি 'he' করেছে, প্রতিবেশীরা নয়)।

07.

• (A) Using a telescope, the star was clearly seen.

• (B) Using a telescope, I saw the star clearly.

• (C) The star was seen using a telescope.

• (D) Both B and C.

Ans: (D) (B তে Subject ঠিক আছে। C তে Passive Voice সঠিক, যেখানে 'using' phrase টি implied agent দ্বারা সম্পন্ন হচ্ছে)।

08.

• (A) While going to class, a dog bit me.

• (B) While I was going to class, a dog bit me.

• (C) Going to class, the dog bit me.

• (D) A dog bit me going to class.

Ans: (B) (Clause expand করে Subject পরিষ্কার করা হয়েছে)।

09.

• (A) Wounded in the leg, the soldier could not walk.

• (B) Wounded in the leg, walking was impossible.

• (C) Wounded in the leg, the doctor saw the soldier.

• (D) The soldier could not walk wounded in the leg.

Ans: (A) (আহত হয়েছিল সৈনিক, তাই Subject 'The soldier')।

10.

• (A) Thinking of his future, the decision was made.

• (B) Thinking of his future, he made the decision.

• (C) The decision was made thinking of his future.

• (D) Thinking of his future, it was decided.

Ans: (B) (ভবিষ্যৎ নিয়ে চিন্তা করছিল 'he')।

DANGLING MODIFIER

Questions

1. —, a deer leapt out in front of me. [সার্কেল অ্যাডজুটেন্ট-১৫, JKKNIU (ঘ) 16-17]

A. While driving down the road

B. While I was driving down the road

C. I was driving down the road

D. Driving down the road

Ans: B

(Explanation: If the sentence starts with "While driving" (A) or "Driving" (D), the subject of the modifier must be the subject of the main clause. The subject of the main clause here is "a deer". Since a deer was not driving, these options create a Dangling Modifier. Option B ("While I was driving") provides a complete clause with its own subject "I", making the sentence grammatically correct.)

2. According to the conditions of my scholarship, after finishing my degree, — . [20th BCS, CU (E) 14-15]

A. my education will be employed by the university

B. employment will be given to me by the university

C. the university will employ me

D. I will be employed by the university

Ans: D

(Explanation: The introductory phrase "after finishing my degree" describes an action performed by the speaker ("I"). Therefore, "I" must be the subject of the independent clause immediately following the introductory phrase. Only Option D starts with "I".)

3. After seeing the movie, —. / After watching the movie 'Centennial', —. [CU (E) 14-15, (C) 17-18, JU (E) 17-18]

A. the book was read by many people

B. the book made many people want to read it

C. many people wanted to read the book

D. the reading of the book interested many people

Ans: C

(Explanation: Who saw the movie? "Many people". Therefore, "many people" must be the subject of the sentence to modify the introductory phrase correctly. The book did not see the movie.)

4. Worn out by a long walk, she fainted. Here 'worn out' is a [IU (B) 13-14]

A. dangling participle

B. present participle

C. adjective complement

D. adverb

Ans: A

(Explanation: Grammatically, "Worn out" is a Past Participle phrase correctly modifying "she". However, in the context of this specific exam question layout where "Past Participle" is not an option, the term "Dangling Participle" is often used in a broad sense to categorize introductory participle phrases in exam syllabi, even if used correctly here.)

5. 'Climbing up a tree, I saw a grey monkey.' - who was climbing up the tree? [DU (D) 03-04, (C) 13-14, IU (G) 10-11]

A. a monkey

B. the speaker

C. somebody else

D. none

Ans: B

(Explanation: The subject of the introductory modifier "Climbing up a tree" is the subject of the sentence, "I" (the speaker). If the monkey were climbing, the sentence structure would likely be: "I saw a grey monkey climbing up a tree.")

6. While going to class, —. [COU (B) 08-09]

A. the dog bit me

B. dog bit me

C. a dog bit me

D. I was bitten by a dog

Ans: D

(Explanation: Who was going to class? "I". Therefore, "I" must be the subject. Options A, B, and C make "the dog" the subject, implying the dog was going to class.)

7. — the passer-by took a nap. (পথিকটি অত্যন্ত ক্লান্ত ও পরিশ্রান্ত হয়ে একটু ঘুমিয়ে নিল) [CU (B1) 14-15]

A. Be tired and exhausted

B. Having tired and exhausted

C. After having tired and exhausted

D. Tired and exhausted

Ans: D

(Explanation: Adjectives or participles placed at the beginning of a sentence modify the subject. "Tired and exhausted" correctly describes the state of "the passer-by".)

8. While biking home before the storm, — [CU (B-1) 13-14]

A. the bicycle of Jahan broke down

B. Jahan had an accident

C. it happened that Jahan's bike broke down

D. the storm caught Jahan

Ans: B

(Explanation: The person biking was Jahan. Therefore, "Jahan" must be the subject of the main clause. In options A, C, and D, the subjects are "bicycle", "it", and "storm", none of which were biking.)

9. —, the seeds of the Kentucky coffee plant are poisonous. [JnU (A) 12-13]

A. Until they have been cooked

B. Cooking them

C. Cooked until

D. Being cooked

Ans: A

(Explanation: To avoid a dangling modifier (since "seeds" cannot cook themselves), the introductory phrase must act as a complete dependent clause with its own subject. "Until they have been cooked" fulfills this requirement.)

10. Hanging on the wall, — [আমি দেয়ালে তার মায়ের ঝুলন্ত একটি ছবি দেখলাম] [CU (E) 08-09]

A. was there a photograph of my mother

B. a photograph of my mother was

C. I saw a photograph of my mother

D. was a photograph of my mother

E. a photograph of my mother I saw

Ans: E

(Explanation: The phrase "Hanging on the wall" modifies "a photograph". Option E uses an inverted structure ("...a photograph... I saw") where the object is placed immediately after its modifier, which is stylistically acceptable here.)

11. Plunging into water, — [সে জলে ডুবে ডুবন্ত শিশুটিকে উদ্ধার করলো] [CU (E) 08-09]

A. the drowning child was rescued

B. the child has been rescued

C. drowning child rescued he

D. he rescued the drowning child

Ans: D

(Explanation: The person who plunged into the water is "he". Therefore, "he" must be the subject of the sentence.)

12. Which one is correct? [JU (C) 14-15]

A. Having finished the assignment, the TV was turned on

B. After reading the original study, the article remains unconvincing

C. Relieved of your responsibilities at work, your home should be a place to relax

D. Having finished the assignment, I turned on the TV

Ans: D

(Explanation: "Having finished the assignment" refers to "I". In option A, the TV finished the assignment (incorrect). Option D correctly aligns the modifier with the subject "I".)

13. Choose the correct sentence. [সে পার্কে হাঁটার সময় সাপের কামড় খেল] [CU (D) 11-12]

A. Walking in the park, he was bitten by a snake.

B. Walking in the park, a snake bit him.

C. Walking in the park, he bit a snake.

D. Walking in the park, a snake was bit him.

Ans: A

(Explanation: The person walking was "he". Therefore, "he" must be the subject. Option B implies the snake was walking in the park.)

14. Choose the correct sentence. [RU (E) 11-12]

A. After jumping of a boat, the shark (হাঙ্গর) bit the man.

B. After jumping of a boat, the shark bite the man.

C. After jumping of a boat, the man was bitten by a shark.

D. After jumping of a boat, the man bite the shark.

Ans: C

(Explanation: The man jumped off the boat, so "the man" must be the subject. Options A and B imply the shark jumped off the boat.)

15. No confusion of the grammatical subject occurs in — [DU (B) 02-03, 99-00]

A. Young and inexperienced, the task seemed easy to me.

B. Young and inexperienced, it seemed to be an easy task.

C. Young and inexperienced, I thought the task easy.

D. Young and inexperienced, it was an easy task for me.

Ans: C

(Explanation: The modifiers "Young and inexperienced" describe a person. Therefore, the subject of the main clause must be a person ("I"). In the other options, the subject is "task" or "it".)

16. Which of the following sentence is correct? [DU 96-97]

A. Hearing the good news, I was happy.

B. Hearing the good news, happiness was mine.

C. Hearing the good news, happy I was.

D. Hearing the good news, mine was happiness.

Ans: A

(Explanation: The person who heard the news is "I". Option A correctly places "I" as the subject immediately after the participle phrase.)

17. Walking through the forest, — [CU (E) 01-02]

A. the path of the traveller was moonlit.

B. the traveller saw the moon above the trees.

C. the moon lit up the leaves of the trees.

D. the moon appeared like a luminous ball.

Ans: B

(Explanation: The person walking through the forest is "the traveller". Thus, "the traveller" must be the subject.)

18. Choose the correct sentence [NU (মানবিক) 10-11]

A. Having arrived late for practice, a written excuse was needed

B. Having arrived late for practice, the team captain needed a written excuse

C. Having arrived late for practice, need the excuse the captain

D. Having arrived later for practice, an application was needed

Ans: B

(Explanation: The person who arrived late is "the team captain". This subject must immediately follow the introductory phrase.)

19. Find out the correct sentence. [DU (C) 91-92, বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক (AD)-০৬]

A. Crossing the street, a car almost struck us.

B. As we crossed the street, a car almost struck us.

C. A car almost struck us, crossing the street.

D. Having crossed the street, a car almost struck us.

Ans: B

(Explanation: A dangling modifier is avoided by expanding the phrase into a full dependent clause: "As we crossed the street". In options A, C, and D, the implied subject is "a car", suggesting the car was crossing or had crossed the street.)

20. Which is the correct sentence? [জেলা প্রাথমিক শিক্ষা অফিসার-৯৩]

A. He was bitten by a snake when walking in the garden.

B. Walking in the garden, a snake bite him.

C. He was bitten by a snake while walking in the garden.

D. While he was walking in the garden, a snake had bitten him.

Ans: C

(Explanation: Option C is concise and correct. "While walking" modifies "He". Option D is also grammatically correct but C is often preferred for conciseness in these tests. Option B is a classic dangling modifier.)

21. Having been served lunch — [থানা/উপজেলা প্রকৌশলী-৯৯, PUST (A) 09-10, BU (D, Ad. English) 12-13]

A. the problem was discussed by the members of the committee.

B. the committee members discussed the problem.

C. it was discussed the committee members the problem

D. a discussion of the problem was made by the members of the committee.

Ans: B

(Explanation: The "committee members" were served lunch. Therefore, they must be the subject of the sentence.)

22. Which sentence is correct? (দেখে পথ না চলায় সে একটা কারের সাথে ধাক্কা খেল) [DU (B) 00-01, JnU (B-EE) 09-10]

A. Not looking where he was going, a car hit him.

B. Not looking where he was going, a car had hit him.

C. Not looking where he was going, he was hitted by a car.

D. Not looking where he was going, he was hit by a car.

Ans: D

(Explanation: The person not looking was "he". So, "he" must be the subject. Option C is incorrect because "hitted" is not a word.)

23. Choose the correct sentence. [DU (C) 03-04]

A. Flying outside the window, he grabbed the papers.

B. Flying out of the window, he grabbed the papers.

C. Flying out the window, the papers were grabbed by him.

D. Flying out the window, the papers grabbed by him.

E. Flying out the window, the papers were grabbed him.

Ans: C

(Explanation: The items flying out the window were "the papers". Therefore, "the papers" must be the subject. In options A and B, "he" is the subject, implying he was flying.)

24. Find out the correct sentence. [DU (D) 92-93]

A. Knowing little algebra, it was difficult to solve the problem.

B. Knowing little algebra, the problem was difficult to solve.

C. Knowing little algebra, I found it difficult to solve the problem.

D. Knowing little algebra, solving the problem was difficult.

Ans: C

(Explanation: The person who knows little algebra is "I". Thus, "I" must be the subject.)

25. Choose the correct sentence. [তাড়াহুড়ার মধ্যে থাকায় সে দরজা খোলা রেখে চলে গেল] [CU (খ) 03-04]

A. Being in haste, the door was left.

B. Being in haste, the door was left open.

C. Being in haste, she left the door open.

D. Being in haste, the door was opened.

Ans: C

(Explanation: The person in haste was "she". So, "she" must be the subject. Options A, B, and D imply the door was in haste.)

26. Upon hatching, —

A. swimming is known by young ducks

B. young ducks know how to swim

C. how to swim is known in young ducks

D. the knowledge of swimming is in young ducks

Ans: B

(Explanation: The creatures that hatch are "young ducks". Therefore, "young ducks" must be the subject.)

27. Smaller and flatter than an orange, — [DU (BBA-IBA) 02-03]

A. a tangerine is easy to peel and its sections separate readily

B. the peel of a tangerine is easily removed and its sections are readily separated

C. it's easy to peel a tangerine and to separate its sections

D. to peel a tangerine is easy, and it sections can be readily separated

Ans: A

(Explanation: The thing that is "smaller and flatter than an orange" is "a tangerine". Therefore, "a tangerine" must be the subject.)