Question

Identify the error in the sentence as a misplaced modifier (MM), a squinting modifier (SM), a dangling modifier (DM), or an instance of faulty parallelism (FP).

Knowing his tendency to oversleep and because he needed to be on time, Paul bought an alarm clock.

Answer 1

The sentence contains faulty parallelism because it combines a gerund phrase with a clause, which are not structurally parallel. It can be corrected by ensuring both parts of the sentence are similar in structure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The error in the sentence 'Knowing his tendency to oversleep and because he needed to be on time, Paul bought an alarm clock' is an instance of faulty parallelism (FP).

This is because the sentence begins with a gerund phrase 'Knowing his tendency to oversleep' and then switches to a clause 'because he needed to be on time'.

These two parts should be parallel in structure but are not, resulting in a mixed construction. It can be corrected by making both parts of the sentence similar in structure, such as 'Knowing his tendency to oversleep and needing to be on time, Paul bought an alarm clock.'

Answer 2

Knowing his tendency to oversleep and because he needed to be on time, Paul bought an alarm clock, the error in the sentence is a B. squinting modifier (SM).

Step-by-step explanation:

The sentence 'Knowing his tendency to oversleep and because he needed to be on time, Paul bought an alarm clock' is unclear because it is not clear whether 'Knowing his tendency to oversleep' is modifying 'Paul' or 'he needed to be on time'.

To fix this, the sentence can be reworded as 'Paul bought an alarm clock because he knew his tendency to oversleep and needed to be on time.' This makes it clear that the modifier 'Knowing his tendency to oversleep' is modifying 'he knew his tendency to oversleep'. So therefore the correct answer is B. squinting modifier (SM).