Which sentence is grammatically correct?
-
A
Having finished the meal, the check was called for by Mr. Innes.
-
B
The check, having finished the meal, was called for by Mr. Innes.
-
C
Having finished the meal, Mr. Innes called for the check.
-
D
Mr. Innes called for the check, having finished the meal.
Sentence “Having finished the meal, Mr. Innes called for the check.” is grammatically correct because the participial phrase "Having finished the meal" logically modifies "Mr. Innes," the subject performing both actions.
A) Having finished the meal, the check was called for by Mr. Innes.
Creates a dangling modifier: the participial phrase "Having finished the meal" illogically modifies "the check," suggesting the check finished the meal rather than Mr. Innes.
B) The check, having finished the meal, was called for by Mr. Innes.
Absurdly suggests "the check" performed the action of finishing the meal, clearly illogical modifier attachment creating semantic impossibility.
C) Having finished the meal, Mr. Innes called for the check.
Correctly attaches the participial phrase to "Mr. Innes," the logical subject who both finished the meal and called for the check. Modifier placement creates clear, logical syntactic relationship.
D) Mr. Innes called for the check, having finished the meal.
While grammatically acceptable, the terminal placement of the participial phrase creates slight ambiguity about timing, though context suggests Mr. Innes finished the meal, the placement could theoretically modify "check" (though illogical). Option C provides superior clarity.
Conclusion
Participial phrases must modify the subject immediately following them to prevent dangling modifiers. Sentence C achieves this by placing "Mr. Innes" directly after the phrase, ensuring logical attachment to the person who performed both actions.