Question

Correct the underlined part of the sentence, if needed.
After working for two hours, the essay started to take shape, and he began to hope that he might finish before the deadline.

• A. After working for two hours, the essay started to take shape, and he began to hope
• B. When the essay started to take shape after he had worked on it for two hours, he began to hope
• C. When the essay started to take shape after he had worked on it for two hours, he begun to hope
• D. When the essay started to take shape after working on it for two hours, he began to hope
• E. After working for two hours, the student's essay started to take shape, and he began to hope

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

When the essay started to take shape after he had worked on it for two hours, he began to hope

Here, the given sentence has a dangling modifier- "after working for two hours."Options A and E also have the same problem of a dangling modifier. C uses "begun" instead of "began" and D is unclear because we do not know who is "working." Only option B rectifies the original error without adding new ones. So, B is the answer.