Modifiers

[anchit57]

Sorry, I was not able to post it on the general verbal section.

I have question related to adverbial modifiers.Please respond it quickly as I have my exam in 2 days.

Have read plenty of posts on this topic but I have few doubts.
An adverbial modifiers always modifies the previous clause along with its noun and verb.

For example is the folllowing sentence correct

Jack,running on the road,kicked a stone.
If it is correct then we don't have a clause before the modifier.

Another sentence
Danube river,originally flowing in europe,flows in India.(please don't mind the geography)
Is the part after comma an adverbial modifier.

In the following sentence, is not possible that adverbial modifier might be the dangling modifier for the next clause.

Although ice particles in the upper atmosphere benefit Earth in that they reflect and absorb solar radiation, acting as a global thermostat and thus keeping Earth from either burning up or freezing over, they also accelerate the destruction of the ozone layer by reacting with chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's)

Is such a structure right.Also here the adverbial modifier is for cause and result or for simultaneous action?

Please a prompt reply from your side will be a great help as I am getting to start nervy about this doubt.

Thanks

[StaceyKoprince]

We no longer answer general questions about content areas on the forums - we couldn't keep up with the volume. I'll give you a couple of short answers because you're test is tomorrow, but for future, please follow the forum rules (And for others reading this, this does not mean we'll now start answering a bunch of general content questions if you tell us your test is tomorrow!! :)

Adverbial modifiers do modify a verb or clause, but the word "preceding" does not necessarily apply. An adverbial modifier can come before or in the middle of a clause, too. In your Jack example, you could put that modifier at the beginning, the end, the middle... doesn't matter. It's still an adverbial modifier modifying the action of hte clause and the subject performing that action - that is, the subject and the verb.

The more complicated structure in your last example can work as long as there is no ambiguity as to which clause the modifier is modifying. Part of that depnds on the fuzziness of interpreted meaning, and the test is usually very careful about how they test meaning (so that they can absolutely justify the right answer vs. the wrong answers). So, on this one, you could say it that way, and whether there was a better sentence... well, I'd have to see all 5 answers. :)