Dangling structure

[mehdihas]

Hi there,
I have problem with dangling structures. Is the following sentence which is related to danglings correct?
1) Preparing the breakfast in a hurry, the toast was burned.

Would you please explain a bit about danglings.

 

[lauralie2]

Hi there,
I have problem with dangling structures. Is the following sentence which is related to danglings correct?
1) Preparing the breakfast in a hurry, the toast was burned.

Would you please explain a bit about danglings.

The problem is the meaning. The subject (the person or thing preparing the breakfast) is the toast. To correct the meaning, add in a subject that can prepare breakfast, like this,

• Preparing breakfast in a hurry, Mehdihas burned the toast. :tick:

 

[mehdihas]

Dear Lauralie2,
Thanks for the response.
can we say that the following sentence is also a dangling structure?
1) To work more efficiently, the machine needs frequent oiling.
Thanks.

 

[Barb_D]

No, the machine is what is working efficiently.

The machine works efficiently. The machine needs frequently oiling.

Unless you mean that a PERSON needs to work more efficiently while using this machine -- in that case, it would be dangling.