Question

Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?

a. After walking to the Capitol, Thomas Jefferson was sworn into the office of the presidency.
b. On the way to his inauguration, Washington’s boat took him up the Hudson River.
c. At his inauguration, Bill Clinton thanked George H. W. Bush for his years of service.
d. The first President to have his inauguration televised, Harry Truman was sworn into office on January 20, 1949.

Answer 1

B. On the way to his inauguration, Washington’s boat took him up the Hudson River.

Answer 2

Answer: The sentence that contains a dangling modifier is B. On the way to his inauguration, Washington’s boat took him up the Hudson River.

Explanation: A dangling modifier is a word or phrase which intends to modify a word or phrase that is not present in the sentence. In other words, a sentence contains a dangling modifier when the target word is missing. For instance, in sentence B., the phrase "On the way to his inauguration" is a dangling modifier since it is modifying a word that has not been clearly stated in the sentence: Washington. Therefore, the subject of this sentence should be "Washington" instead of "Washington's boat".