The bowerbirds of Australia derive their name

[manhhiep2509]

The bowerbirds of Australia derive their name from the fact that the males build elaborate bowers of sticks and twigs to attract females, decorating them with flowers and other vegetation in a display of courtship.

A. the fact that the males build elaborate bowers of sticks and twigs to attract females, decorating them with flowers and other vegetation
B. the elaborate bowers of sticks and twigs that the males build and decorate with flowers and other vegetation in order to attract females
C. the elaborate bowers of sticks and twigs, decorated with flowers and other vegetation that the males use to attract females
D. the fact that the males build elaborate bowers of sticks and twigs, having decorated them with flowers and other vegetation, to attract females
E. the elaborate bowers of sticks and twigs that are built by the males and decorated with flowers and other vegetation to attract females


I do not have any trouble with correct answer choice, but I wonder that why the present participle decorating them ... in answer choice A is not mentioned as an error in the explanation. Since the modifier goes after a commas, I expect it modifies the entire clause or the subject of the clause, the bowerbirds. However, of course, it does not modify the latter or the former at all. Because it is placed in this way, I do not think it is correct.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

[RonPurewal]

hi --
this post does not follow the forum rules. please correct the following within the next week or so:

* per the forum rules, please provide the original problems, with all answer choices. you should do so even if you only plan to ask about one or two of the choices.

also, please read the forum rules (top of every folder).

if this is not done within a week, we'll have to delete the thread. thanks

[manhhiep2509]

I edited my post as Ron required. Hope to receive answers for my question soon.

[jlucero]

These modifiers don't have to modify the entire sentence, just one such clause:

(The bowerbirds of Australia derive their name from the fact) THAT the males build bowers, decorating them with flowers.

Rather than modify bowerbirds, "decorating them with flowers" is modifying "the males", telling us HOW the males build bowers.

Note that you could have a comma+ing word that modifies the entire clause or just the second clause. Since there's no absolute rule on this, you sometimes have to use logic to get to your answer.