Unlike many of the so-called “grammar rules” that are really style rules, the rule against dangling participles is a good one.
A Dangling What, Now?
A participle is a verbal adjective that comes in two main varieties: the present participle, usually formed with -ing, and the past participle, usually formed with -ed. These verbal adjectives generally function the way other adjectives do:
- The flowing water pours out of the fountain.
- The disrespected attorney lost his practice.
In addition, participles can head a phrase that modifies a noun in a sentence:
- I saw the dog running down the street.
- She hit the car parked in the driveway.
- Sitting in the park, I awaited my true love.
- Beaten back by the revolutionaries, the army fled the field.