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Because her dad works so much, she rarely gets to see him.
The sentence above is grammatically correct and ETS approved.
Rule #14: Misplaced Modifier ................................................................
How to Find: An intro phrase, especially an “ing” phrase, followed by a comma.
How to Fix: Move the correct noun directly after the modifying phrase (or after the comma).
Take a look at a classic ETS misplaced modifier error:
Running through the park, a walnut fell from a tree and hit Michael on the head.
Step 1: Spot the intro “ing” phrase followed by a comma. (Running through the park).
Step 2: Ask: What noun directly follows the intro phrase? Walnut. Whatever noun follows the modifying
phrase is the noun that is being modified. This would mean that the walnut was running through the
park. That’s NOT ETS’s intended meaning.
Step 3: Ask: What noun is ETS really trying to modify? Michael. Michael is the person who is running
through the park.
Step 4: Move the correct noun (Michael) directly after the modifying phrase.
Revised sentence: Running through the park, Michael was hit on the head by a walnut that fell from a tree.
Here’s another:
Terrified of the water, Cynthia’s fear prevented her from swimming in the ocean.
Step 1: Spot the intro phrase followed by a comma (Terrified of the water).
Step 2: Ask: Who or what is terrified of the water? Whatever comes after the introductory phrase!
Cynthia’s fear. Can Cynthia’s fear be terrified of the water? Nope, but Cynthia can.
Step 3: Move the correct noun (Cynthia) after the modifying phrase.
Revised sentence: Terrified of the water, Cynthia was prevented from swimming in the ocean due to her fear.
Sometimes the best way to fix a misplaced modifier error is to change the verb
in the modifying phrase.
Let’s see how this works: