Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

Question

Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?

 A. 

The conductor shook hands with Michael Guerro, the orchestra's concertmaster.

 B. 

Listening to the beautiful blend of sounds, I marveled at the musicians' talent.

 C. 

After walking onto the stage, the conductor bowed to the audience in greeting.

 D. 

The orchestra members prepared for the performance, tuning their instruments.

Answer 1

In A, who is the orchestra's concertmaster? "Michael Guerro" is the concertmaster, and the modifier immediately follows its target, so there is no misplaced modifier.

In B, who marveled at the musicians' talent? "I" did, and the modifier immediately precedes its target, so there is no misplaced modifier.

In C, who was walking onto the stage? "The conductor" was, and the modifier immediately precedes its target, so there is no misplaced modifier.

In D, who is tuning their instruments? "The orchestra members" are, but the noun that immediately precedes the modifier is "performance". It would be more correct to write, "Tuning their instruments, the orchestra members prepared for the performance." Also acceptable would be, "The orchestra members, tuning their instruments, prepared for the performance," though some might find this syntax awkward.