Dear Instructors,

Please help me understand how can I identify when a verb modifier may apply to both the verb and it's subject.

Refer: Manhattan SC Guide -4, page no 90

Note that in all the examples on page 90, the modifier describes what someone was doing or intending while performing another action. Ther weightlifter is whistling "Beat It," or concentrating, or intending to free his or her leg. In these cases, the modifier correctly modifies the action, but since it is performed by a person, it also applies to the subject.

Another example:

Intending to confuse his pursuers, he walked backward through the snow.

In this case, the portion in bold modifies "he walked backward." It modifies "he," because that is who intended to confuse his pursuers. However, it also modifies "walked backward" because it shows what his intent was in walking backward.

Contrast that to the following sentences:

1. A die-hard Yankees fan, Mark moved to New York.

In this case, the modifier in bold applies only to "my brother," and not to the verb "moved." Mark is a Yankees fan, and that may have influenced his decision to move, but the modifier does not describe what he was doing or thinking when he moved to New York. It can't, because it's a noun modifier.

2. I tried with all my might to grow wings.

In this case, the modifier in bold applies only to the verb, "tried," and not to the subject, "I." "With all my might" describes how hard I tried, but it is not in itself something I am doing or intending.

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Dmitry Farber
Manhattan GMAT Instructor

Awesome.....The explanation makes things crystal clear....

I really appreciate your help here...

Yes, excellent explanation.

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Jamie Nelson
ManhattanGMAT Instructor