Question

In which sentence are the italicized words a dangling modifier? (A dangling modifier is a phrase that has no word in the sentence to modify.)
A. Arriving ten minutes late, the store was closed for the night.
B. Not knowing the danger, the soldiers marched into the trap.
C. Resting on the sea bottom, the old trunk held many coins.
D. Flying beneath the cloud, the pilot could see the airport.

Answer 1

(a) Arriving ten minutes late, the store was closed for the night. "Arriving ten minutes late" is the dangling modifier. It's supposed to modify "the store" but a store can't arrive ten minutes late. Therefore, one could say this instead: Arriving ten minutes late, the man closed the store for the night.

(b) CORRECT. Soldiers can be ignorant of danger.
(c) CORRECT. An old trunk can rest on the sea bottom.
(d) CORRECT. A pilot can fly beneath the cloud.