Comma + verb-ed modifier

Question

Both shocking and entertaining audiences across the nation, George Carlin, who also struggled publicly with drug abuse, influenced and inspired a generation of comedians.

1) Can someone please explain what kind of modifier " Both shocking and entertaining audiences across the nation, " is and what it is modifying?

Other thoughts
George Carlin,  who  also struggled publicly with drug abuse, 
2) Because of relative pronoun who, it's modifying the noun George Carlin.

influenced and inspired a generation of comedians.
3) Since this is a "Comma + verb-ed" modifier, it should modify the preceding clause. Which clause is it?

TheUltimateWinner · Answer

heyrohit 
It seems that  Both shocking and entertaining audiences across the nation  is the  initial modifier . This modifies "George Carlin". "Who" also modifies "George Carlin". Here the core is:
 George Carlin influenced and inspired a generation of comedians.

Knowing the name of modifier will NOT help you at all; better to know HOW the modifier works!

EducationAisle · Answer

Hi Rohit, these are  present participial  phrases and are modifying  George Carlin .

Correct.  who  is modifying  George Carlin .

influenced  and  inspired  are  not  used as modifiers here;  influenced  and  inspired  are  verbs ; in fact, these are the  main verbs  of the sentence. The  core  of the sentence is:

George Carlin influenced and inspired a generation of comedians .

p.s. Our book    EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana    discusses  Present Participial phrases , their application and examples in significant detail. If you or someone is interested, PM me your email-id; I can mail the corresponding section.

akela · Answer

Hi heyrohit , Welcome to gmatclub! Both shocking and entertaining audiences across the nation, George Carlin, who also struggled publicly with drug abuse, influenced and inspired a generation of comedians. , George Carlin, , influenced and inspired a generation of comedians. Modifier 1 is an adverbial modifier, and it applies to the subject + verb (George Carlin influenced and inspired). It seems that you're using MGMAT SC - in verb modifiers part, check "present participle with commas". The ENGINEER FIXED THE PROBLEM, earning himself a promotion Slipping on the ice, she broke her ankle. She slipped on the ice, breaking her ankle. Modifier 2 is a noun modifier (relative pronoun) and modifies the noun (George Carlin). the "comma + ing" modifier should only be used when: (A) it MODIFIES THE ENTIRE ACTION of the clause, and it APPLIES TO THE SUBJECT of that clause; AND (B) one of the following is true: (1) the "ing" action is SIMULTANEOUS with, and SUBORDINATE to, the main action; (2) the "ing" action is a DIRECT AND IMMEDIATE CONSEQUENCE of the main action. (3) the "ing" action DESCRIBES the main action, in some other extremely direct way (illustration, example, explanation, etc.) Also, check this problem and notes to it: https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/foru ... 10154.html Hope this helps! the "comma + ing" modifier should only be used when:

Comma + verb-ed modifier

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