Dangling participles
Dangling participles
(OP)
"It appears to me that little Johnny didn't wet the bed."
What is it? Who or whom is it?
I also refer to this is a pronoun that is misused because it's definition hasn't been previously defined with a proper noun, but my teachers always criticized me for using dangling participles. I think dangling participle rolls off the tongue better, too.
What is it? Who or whom is it?
I also refer to this is a pronoun that is misused because it's definition hasn't been previously defined with a proper noun, but my teachers always criticized me for using dangling participles. I think dangling participle rolls off the tongue better, too.
--Scott
For some pleasure reading, try FAQ731-376





RE: Dangling participles
RE: Dangling participles
"It appears to me that..." is a dangling participle. What appears to you? An angel? A bowling ball? A house? Little Johny wetting the bed is not in front of you.
Also, the word "that" in this original example is a conjunction to a dependant clause. A dependant clause can not be the subject.
To simplify let's remove the preposition "to me."
It appears that Johny didn't wet the bed.
rephrase: That Johny didn't wet the bed appears. -- makes no sense.
It is apparent that Johny didn't wet the bed.
rephrase: That Johny didn't wet the bed is apparent. -- although bad order, this does make sense.
Or am I still way off.
--Scott
For some pleasure reading, try FAQ731-376
RE: Dangling participles
For me, the key issue is: what conveys the meaning best?
In this instance, the dangling participle:
“It is apparent that Johnny didn’t wet the bed.”
Is vastly preferable to:
“That Johnny didn’t wet the bed is apparent.”
RE: Dangling participles
I don't think there is enough information to answer.
It may be apparent to the speaker that Johnny didn't wet the bed but not to me.
Was the bed wet? if so how does he know it wasn't Johnny? DNA testing? In this case it wouldn't be just "apparent", it would be incontravertable evidence one way or the other.
Or is the bed is dry? in which case, why is Johnny being singled out in this way?
Is this persecution?
RE: Dangling participles
RE: Dangling participles
--Scott
For some pleasure reading, try FAQ731-376