BASIC GRAMMAR

"Hi Martine,

"Do local sub editors know the basic grammatical rules? This is the opening of the Guardian front-page story today about the nurse who was executed:

""Discovered with her hands and feet bound and a single gunshot wound to the back of the head, investigators believe Paula Lakraj, a nurse, was killed execution-style."

"As written this sentence suggests that the investigators were "discovered with her hands...". This is incorrect and nonsensical. In grammar, this error is called a dangling modifier. The opening clause should modify the victim, so the sentence should have read:

""Discovered with her hands and feet bound and a single gunshot wound to the back of the head, Paula Lakraj, a nurse, was killed execution-style, investigators believe."

"This is very basic grammar, and I'm surprised that this wasn't caught by the subs seeing that it's the lead paragraph of the front-page story. Makes you wonder about the quality control at our newspapers.
By the way, this isn't the first instance I've seen of this, but it's the most glaring.

"thanks
"Mike"

Thanks for pointing this out Mike.
Guardian subs and senior editors and Miss Kowlessar, take note.
Basic grammar.