Correct this sentence: "My client has discussed your proposal to fill the drainage ditch with his partners."

Answer 1

This is an example of an ambiguous modifier. Keep the modifier close to what it modifies! In this case, the client has discussed with his partner, so the sentence should be changed to "My client has discussed with his partners your proposal to fill the drainage ditch."

Answer 2

Sounds like something out of a Mafia movie. In all seriousness, the client doesn't want to fill the drainage ditch with people; instead, the client has discussed the proposal with people, namely, his partners. It's a misplaced modifier, and although these sentence errors can create a few laughs, they also muddy meaning. Here's a fix: My client has discussed with his partners the proposal to fill the drainage ditch. Moving the prep phrase "with his partners" closer to the word the phrase is modifying clarifies meaning.

Answer 3

You need to recast the sentence.

A simple way of saying this clearly is

"My client and his partners discussed your proposal to fill the drainage ditch."

"My client discussed your proposal to fill the drainage ditch with his partners" has a misplaced modifier.

"My client discussed with his partners your proposal to fill the drainage ditch" is awkward wording.

"My client discussed with his partners your proposal...." We just do not speak like this. For example, "I discussed with my friends your plan" is similarly awkward and incorrect.

Answer 4

I see nothing wrong with the sentence. The client doesn't like his partners and wants to throw them in a ditch.