Hi Daagh,
I have seen your responses & most of the times your are bang on target. however, in the below sentences, I believe you missed one rule.
i.e Relative Modifiers and Present Participle can be changed interchangeably provided that tense of the modifier must make sense. So,
1)Scientists have found high levels of iridium in certain geological formations around the world, results suggesting the cataclysmic impact of a meteor millions of Years ago
2)Scientists have found high levels of iridium in certain geological formations around the world, results that suggest the cataclysmic impact of a meteor millions of Years ago
Above sentences are idiomatic and perfectly correct.
However, if we have-
The temperature on earth is rising, ultimately depleting the Ozone layer. (incorrect)
The temperature on earth is rising, a problem that will ultimately deplete the Ozone layer.(correct)
Explanation - Sentence A is incorrect because of adverb
ultimately. Since the action of deplete will take place in future, it is non nonsensical to say that the ozone layer is depleting, which is what construction 1 says.
Const.2 clarifies the sequencing.
Thanks
daagh wrote:
Let me also join the fray;
When an adverbial modifier or verb + ing modifier consisting of a present participle is placed in a placed in the later part of a sentence and is set off using a comma, then the verb+ing modifies the entire previous clause, or the gist of the previous clause. It is the combination of the subject and subject’s doing some action.
2. Scientists have found high levels of iridium in certain geological formations around the world, SUGGESTING the cataclysmic impact of a meteor millions of years ago.
Here, it is the Scientists’ finding of high levels of Iridium that is suggesting something. That is the gist of the main clause. So it is acceptable IMO
3. Scientists have found high levels of iridium in certain geological formations around the world, results suggesting the cataclysmic impact of a meteor millions of Years ago
When we talk of reports, results, findings etc, it is customary to modify them with a relative clause introduced by the conjunction that. To that extent, 3 is less idiomatic