Rule

An opening modifying phrase must be followed directly by the word it describes.

Question

Choose the sentence in which the opening phrase is used correctly.

Options

• (A) Walking down the street, the trees looked beautiful to her.
• (B) Walking down the street, the beauty of the trees struck her.
• (C) Walking down the street, she noticed how beautiful the trees looked.
• (D) Walking down the street, the trees were noticed by her as beautiful.

Answer

(C) Walking down the street, she noticed how beautiful the trees looked.

Solution

1. The phrase walking down the street describes a person who is walking.
2. In options A and D, the phrase is followed by the trees, and in option B by the beauty of the trees, so it seems that they were walking.
3. In option C, the phrase is followed by she, who is the one walking, so it is correct.