COMPUTER SYSTEMS RESEARCH
Elements of Technical Writing
2005-2006

  • Avoid dangling participles
    1. A verb ending in -ing is called a present participle. Grammarians say a participle is dangling when it is attached to the wrong subject in a sentence. 
         Turning over our papers, the chemistry examination began. (the chemistry exam turned over the papers?)
   
   Turning over our papers, we began the chemistry exam. (this one is correct)
    2. Dangling participles occur frequently in technical writing 
         King Tut's tomb was unearthed while digging for artifacts. (King Tut's tomb was digging for artifacts?)

   Archaeologists unearthed King Tut's tomb while they were digging for artifacts.  (Correct version)

   Sitting serenely in the laboratory, the apple tasted great to her.  (The apple was sitting?)

   Sitting serenely in the laboratory, she enjoyed the great taste of the apple. (Correct version)