Which sentence correctly attaches a modifier to the intended subject?

Which sentence correctly attaches a modifier to the intended subject?

• A. Running quickly, the finish line was crossed by Maria.
• B. Running quickly, Maria crossed the finish line.
• C. Maria crossed the finish line running quickly.
• D. The finish line ran quickly as Maria crossed it.

Answer: (B)

Modifiers must clearly attach to the person or thing that actually does the action. A participial phrase like “running quickly” should describe the subject performing the action, not another noun in the sentence. The clearest way to do this is to place the modifier so it directly refers to that subject. In the sentence that puts the introductory phrase before the noun, the phrase clearly describes Maria as the one who is running quickly. This makes the intended meaning unambiguous: Maria crosses the finish line while running quickly. The other constructions invite misreading. If the introductory phrase precedes a passive clause, it can seem to describe the thing being acted upon (the finish line) rather than the person, which is illogical. If the modifier appears after the verb, it can attach to the wrong noun or create ambiguity about what or who is doing the running, since the closest noun to the phrase might be read as the subject of the running. So the sentence that places the modifier before the subject provides the most direct, unambiguous attachment to the intended subject.

Modifiers must clearly attach to the person or thing that actually does the action. A participial phrase like “running quickly” should describe the subject performing the action, not another noun in the sentence. The clearest way to do this is to place the modifier so it directly refers to that subject.

In the sentence that puts the introductory phrase before the noun, the phrase clearly describes Maria as the one who is running quickly. This makes the intended meaning unambiguous: Maria crosses the finish line while running quickly.

The other constructions invite misreading. If the introductory phrase precedes a passive clause, it can seem to describe the thing being acted upon (the finish line) rather than the person, which is illogical. If the modifier appears after the verb, it can attach to the wrong noun or create ambiguity about what or who is doing the running, since the closest noun to the phrase might be read as the subject of the running.

So the sentence that places the modifier before the subject provides the most direct, unambiguous attachment to the intended subject.