I spent an embarrassing amount of time attempting to find the video for this post, but could only find it on one site and it wouldn't let me import it. Click here for Dr. Poole and Connie. It's worth it. Then come back:D
- Connie: Congratulations, Doc. Will there be a honeymoon following?
- Dr. Poole: Watch it there, Connie. You've got a dangling participle.
Connie thinks his zipper is down, but the problem is the ing word at the end of his sentence.
So what is a participle, you ask? (now that we've established it's not anything on or inside Connie's pants)
When you add ing to a verb and use that word as an adjective (describes a noun), it's called a participle.
A dangling participle describes something that isn't in the sentence. In Connie's case he's missing the word wedding.
Have you seen Oscar? Do you love Mr. Poole and Sylvester Stallone as a gangster as much as I do? Do you find yourself dangling participles?
If I got anything wrong, feel free to correct me in the comments. Can you guess what part of grammar I'll focus on tomorrow? Are you doing the A to Z challenge? Let me know and I'll come check it out.
Write On:D
Wow... you have really analyzed this situation! Loving what your doing here
ReplyDeleteDani & Jax @ Cover Girls
Your posts are great for everyone but I'm sure homeschooling parents would love this!
ReplyDeleteDani @ Entertaining Interests
#warriorminion
You are making me learn something every day- and for that I'm truly grateful. I am the Queen of bad grammar. (I wanted to write Princess but I know I'm too old to get away with that, lol) One thing is for sure, I am in dire need of these lessons! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's not the subject of the participle isn't in the sentence, it's that the participle is in a place where it could be modifying some other word than the one intended. A common usage error puts the participle at the end of the sentence modifying the subject of the sentence. For instance: "I chased the ball running at full speed." The placement makes it seem as if the ball is running. It should be, "Running at full speed, I chased the ball."
ReplyDeleteHowever, it is true that the subject of the modifier is sometimes left out, it just doesn't have to be that way.
Correction only because you asked.
Your correction is perfect. I'm doing grammar for A to Z because I want to make mine better. Thanks!
DeleteOkay, well, good, then. Even when people ask, sometimes they still get upset.
DeleteOh, yeah, I am doing a-to-z. Forgot to say that before.
I forgot about that movie, lol. This is one I have a hard time identifying in my own writing. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI love TIm Curry but I've never seen that movie. Love the grammar theme!
ReplyDeleteI hope you try out Oscar-so much goodness is that movie. And happy cover release day:D
DeleteI love your posts! they came right at the right time with my editing. :)
ReplyDeleteHmm! I have seen differing explanations on dangling participles, I think it's one of my blind spots... And, never seeing the clip (or the movie), my husband was startled when I laughed.
ReplyDeleteCat
Glad you thought it was funny. The entire movie is great-Dr. Poole teaches elocution lessons to Syl. on his first day determined to go get out of being a gangster.
DeleteI freaking LOVE that movie! I've always remembered what a dangling participle is becasue of that. Great examples :)
ReplyDeleteYay! Another Oscar lover. Do you remember the "nicely rounded diphthongs"?
DeleteI've never heard of that movie. I'll have to check it out. Dangling participles can be the most hilarious fun!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the truth? Thanks for finding my blog. I'm super impressed with your blog content.
DeleteI LOVE that movie! Although I didn't remember the dangling participles from there, I'll never forget the nicely rounded diphthongs.
ReplyDeleteThe "nicely rounded diphthongs" is my 2nd fav. line from Oscar. Glad you LOVE Oscar as well:)
DeleteI am not familiar with that movie but I do love Tim Curry :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you give it a try. Great movie for writers-the grammar, the plotting, the humor, it has everything:)
DeleteHah! You're right. It was worth it. :)
ReplyDeleteYAY!
DeleteI used to dangle them regularly til I realized what I was doing. Now I catch it all the time. It's such a typical way to speak, and many of us write like we speak. I need to watch that movie --Ive never seen it. Now I'm interested!
ReplyDeleteI hope you do watch the movie:) We do speak that way. I catch myself using them often. *dang it* I'm a WIP...
DeleteGreat post and Oscar was one of my daughter's favorite movies. In fact, she names her cat Ramona Oscar-ette Mathilda Ferguson. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I got line edits back from my editor a few weeks ago, I was appalled to see I had a couple of dangling participles. I thought I was smarter than that!
Perfect cat names for your book reading daughter. Mathilda is another of my favorite characters.
DeleteCommon errors sneak up on all of us. That's why we have editors, right? Thanks for stopping by:D
Thank you for this amazing review of that scene. I absolutely love this film!
ReplyDelete