Modifiers

Question

I am finding it very difficult to understand what a modifier is exactly modifying. Can someone help me with that? 
For example
The new CEO requires the sales team to improve its customer interaction, building personalised relationships that drive engagement at both ends.

Here 'building personalised....... ' modifies to improve.

However I wrongly chose requires as the option.

What is wrong in the way I am thinking? And what should be my approach when I try to find out what a modifier is modifying. Any simple thumb rule?

Posted from my mobile device

chetan2u · Answer

These are called present participle formed by verb+ing, and past participle formed by verb+Ed.

When the verb+ing modifier is preceded by comma, as in this case, the modifier will modify the preceding clause, its action and at times, its subject. 
In all the remaining forms, the modifiers verb+ing and verb+Ed will modify the preceding noun or noun phrase.

sumitkrocks · Answer

siddharth287  In your example : "building personalized relationships" is a present participle and it is modifying the preceding clause by giving more information regarding how sales team can improve customer interaction.

whenever you see such construction the modifier "present participle" will modify preceding clause by either giving more information or presenting result/outcome.

Hope it helps.

piyushluniya · Answer

Just one more thing, in addition to  chetan2u  and  sumitkrocks  reply:
It is not necessary that when followed by a comma, the verb-ing modifier modifies only the main verb, just like in this case. It can modify any other action also which is present in the preceeding clause.

Modifiers

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards