DANGLING PARTICIPLES

(A Subject of Participial Phrase)

15*68, 12*69
Dangling Participle is also called Illogical Participial Modifier. It is called dangling or illogical
because we, very often than not, mistakenly make a noun which is illogically responsible for the
action of the participle, hence, the existing participle then becomes dangling or illogical.
When two phrases do not share a common subject, we call the participial phrase an illogical
participial modifier. For clarity, introductory participle phrases must be followed immediately by a
noun which is logically responsible for the action of the participle.
Actually, the subject of the participial phrase is understood rather than explicit. Consider the
following.
Standing at the gate, a scorpion stung the boy.
Standing at the gate, he was stung by a scorpion.
After jumping out of the boat, the shark bit the man.
After jumping out of the boat, the man was bitten by a shark.

<incorrect>
<correct>
<incorrect>
<correct>

To be highlighted in the first sentence, the actual subject of the verb sitting is the boy, therefore,
immediately after the comma, we must mention the boy. So, the first sentence is incorrect
because the scorpion and the participial sitting do not share a logical correlation or in other
words, the scorpion as a noun coming immediately after the comma is not logically responsible for
the introductory participial phrase sitting on the gate. The second sentence is correct. Then we
know that the third sentence is incorrect because we fully understand that it is illogical or
impossible if a shark jumps out of a boat to bite a man. So, the fourth sentence is correct.

UNDERSTANDING PARTICIPIAL MODIFIER

Participle as a concept is actually very simple. It is usually a shortened clause of one of the
clauses in a complex sentence by using conjunction, relative pronoun or participial adjective. It
becomes far easier for us when we realize that this shortening concept also applies in our Bahasa.
Please examine the followings and see how the first complex sentence becomes shortened. Can
you find the doer of the action in the printed-in-italic participle phrases below?
Sebab Uli sudah menunggu terlalu lama, dia akhirnya meninggalkan pesan singkat sebelum pergi.
Sebab sudah menunggu terlalu lama, Uli akhirnya meninggalkan pesan singkat sebelum pergi.
Sudah menunggu terlalu lama, Uli akhirnya meninggalkan pesan singkat sebelum pergi.
Menunggu terlalu lama, Uli akhirnya meninggalkan pesan singkat sebelum pergi.

Shortened Clause
While/As/When Nita was waiting for the bus, she read a tabloid.
While/As/When waiting for the bus, Nita read a tabloid.
Waiting for the bus, Nita read a tabloid.
As/When I needed the money to pay for the bus fare, I realized I had lost my wallet.
As/When needing the money to pay for the bus fare, I realized I had lost my wallet.
Needing the money to pay for the bus fare, I realized I had lost my wallet.
Because/As she was sent to student conference in Malang, Tini was proud of herself.
Structure for the TOEFL Faisal Umri

Because of/As being sent to student conference in Malang, Tini was proud of herself.
Being sent to student conference in Malang, Tini was proud of herself.
Sent to student conference in Malang, Tini was proud of herself.
Because she is beautiful, Ms. Nadya attracts many boys.
Because of being beautiful, Ms. Nadya attracts many boys.
Being beautiful, Ms. Nadya attracts many boys.
After we had come to an agreement, we signed the MOU.
After having come to an agreement, we signed the MOU.
Having come to an agreement, we signed the MOU.
The door was open. The jewelry was stolen.
The door being open, the jewelry was stolen.
Soeharto was overthrown. The demonstrators cheered in ecstasy.
Soeharto being overthrown, the demonstrators cheered in ecstasy.
Morning light advanced. All woke up in delight.
Morning light advancing, all woke up in delight.
The man gave me a sign. I was on alert.
The man giving me a sign, I was on alert.
The window which was broken by Ucok has not been repaired yet.
The window being broken by Ucok has not been repaired yet.
The window broken by Ucok has not been repaired yet.
The person who presented the paper is Prof. Leman.
The person presenting the paper is Prof. Leman.
The one who is giving lecture is my father.
The one giving lecture is my father.
While Murni was humming in the bathroom, she heard a knock on the door.
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After Minah has finished reading Ayat Ayat Cinta, she will read Maut dan Cinta.
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Because Lilik was impressed by Luluks beauty, he offhand asked her for a date last night.
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Structure for the TOEFL Faisal Umri

As Nazaruddin was driven out of his country, he sought asylum in a foreign land.
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Those who are interested in Dangdut may have these CDs free of charge.
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Those who hold green cards may enter Room B.
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The tired young mother who lulled her little baby is now sleeping soundly.
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The old man who holds the red umbrella is my grandpa.
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Dont worry. The man who is talking to your brother is an inside.
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Mr. Leman opened the gate. We entered.
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Weather permits. I will drop by.
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Many had arrived. We were freed from anxiety.
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Combine the following pairs of sentences using Participle.
The magician took pity on the mouse. He turned it into a cat.
= Taking pity on the mouse the magician turned it into a cat.
The people had taken their seats. The train was ready to leave the station.
= The people having taken their seats, the train was ready to leave the station.
The sea was smooth. We went for sail.
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We started early. We arrived at noon.
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We met a man. He was carrying a load of wood.
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He seized his stick. He rushed to the door.
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A crow stole a piece of cheese. She flew to her nest to enjoy the tasty meal.
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Structure for the TOEFL Faisal Umri

The wolf wished to pick a quarrel with the lamb. He said. How dare you make the water muddy?
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The chief was absent. Everything was in disorder.
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Bedul met his brother in the street. He asked him where he was going.
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My sister was charmed with the silk. She bought ten yards.
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The letter was badly written. I had great difficulty in making out its contents.
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The weather was fine. I went out.
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A hungry fox saw some bunches of grapes. They were hanging from a vine.
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Cinderella hurried away with much haste. She dropped one of her little glass slippers.
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Meanings Possibly Found in Participle

V-ing
V-ing (active participle) may mean at the time that (when) or at the same time as (while). It also may
mean by the reason that or on account of (because, as, since), in case of (if) or in spite of (although).
Walking along the street, I met Etty, my old friend.
= When I was walking along the street, I met Etty, my old friend.

Loving her, Romeo will do anything for her.

= Because/Since/As Romeo loves her, he will do anything for her.

Following my advice, you will gain your object.

= If you follow my advice, you will gain your object.

Possessing all the advantages of education and wealth, he never made a name.
= Although he possessed all the advantages of education and wealth, he never made a name.

Being
The word being as a sub-clause may mean by the reason that/on account of (because, as, since) or in
spite of (although).
Being ill, my grandma had her breakfast brought to her room.
= Since/As/Because my grandma was ill, she had her breakfast brought to her room.

Being paralytic, he could not walk.

= Because he is paralytic, he could not walk.

Being overpowered, he surrendered

= Because he was overpowered, he surrendered.

Being wealthy, he is still humble.

= Although is wealthy, he is still humble.

Having
The word having as a sub-clause may mean at a time later than (after) or in spite of (although).
Having studied English at BBC, Nisa went home with her friends.
= After Nisa had studied English at BBC, she went home with her friends.

Having finished their supper, the boys went out to play.

Structure for the TOEFL Faisal Umri

= After the boys had finished their supper, they went out to play.

Having all in possession, he is till humble.

= Although he has all in possession, he is till humble.

Rewrite each of the following sentences by changing the Participle into a Finite Verb.
Being humble, he was respected by his subordinates.
= Because he was humble, he was respected by his subordinates.
Having one hand, he still can pursue his life normally.
= Although he has one hand, he still can pursue his life normally.
Going up the stairs, the boy fell down.
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Having lost my passport, I applied for a new one.
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Walking on the roof, he slipped and fell.
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Having no guide with us, we lost our way.
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Being sarcastic, he has few friends.
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Hearing the noise, I woke up.
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Working all day, I was fatigued.
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Having come of age, his son entered into partnership with him.
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Having failed in the first attempt, he made no further attempts.
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Winter coming on, the grasshopper had no food.
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Enchanted with the whole scene, I lingered on my voyage.
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Not knowing my way, I asked a policeman.
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Structure for the TOEFL Faisal Umri