doubt in misplaced-modifier.

Question

we say that whenever a particple phrase is not closet to the pronoun or noun its modifying , its then a misplaced-modifier. but sometimes, we agree even if the modifying part comes in the end of the sentence like -

For members of the Ashanthi nation in Africa, animal-hide shields with wooden frames were essential items of miltary equipment, a method to protect warriors against enemy arrows and spears.
1-
2- as a mthod protecting
3 - protecting
4 - as a protection of
5 - to protect

I was able to rule out 1,2 and 4. But when it came between 3 and 5 , i thought that 3 is incoorect because this participle phrase should have come immediately after animal-hide shields like -
For members of the Ashanthi nation in Africa, animal-hide shields with wooden-frames , protecting warriors against enemy arrows and spears, were essential items of miltary equipment.

Somehow as per the original sentence, i felt that the protecting phrase was modifying the military equipment and hence didn't chose it.

Also, i remember in some question that choice was eliminated because the phrase came in the end and it was supposed to modify a noun in the begining of the sentence. i am trying to locate that sentence.

So what are the rules that govern the acceptance of modifier in the begining of the sentence and end of the sentence when its supposed to modify the noun in the begining of the sentence.

i am not sure if i have expressed myself clearly

.
any help please.[/u]

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. any help please.

anuramm · Answer

can anyone please clarify this doubt also.

Praetorian · Answer

Hello 

I know what you are saying.

You would generally use a relative pronoun ( that, which) if you wanted to modify "military..". also, just a little more, a pronoun modifies a noun. here "protecting" is not a pronoun for military.

Correct me if i am wrong, but I believe that "protecting......" is an absolute phrase, which gives us more info about the shields. 

Search for an explanation by ob. ob explained it really well. 

hope this helps. i
Praetorian

doubt in misplaced-modifier.

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