Use participial phrases and avoid dangling participles (CCSS L.7.1.a; L.7.1.c)

Construct participial phrases (-ing or -ed phrases that modify a noun) as a sentence-opening move. Apply the dangling-participle rule: the participial phrase MUST modify the subject of the main clause. Apply the 3-step repair routine when the participle dangles. High-frequency error in analytical prose — drilling required.

Mastery threshold

85%

Min instances

Typical minutes

Spaced intervals (days)

1, 3, 7, 14, 30, 60

Prereqs

Successors

Common misconceptions

Dangling participle — opens with a participial phrase that doesn't modify the subject ('Walking through the gallery, the paintings impressed me' — were the paintings walking?).
Confuses participial phrase with gerund phrase — both can begin with -ing but participial modifies a noun while gerund IS a noun.

Exercise pool (2)

Diff	Stem	Type
2	Underline the participial phrase + draw an arrow to the noun it modifies. (1) 'Walking through the gallery, she paused.' (2) 'Broken by...	phrase identification
4	Each sentence has a dangling participle. Apply the 3-step repair: find the phrase / find the intended subject / rephrase. (1) 'Walking...	dangling participle repair