<p>Pedrito got into serious trouble missing the grammar quiz last Monday.
Answer: No Error.</p>
<p>Question 1: The known rule is that a modifier must directly follow what it modifies. Here, "missing" doesn't modifiy "trouble", but it modifies "Pedrito", which is a few words away. How's that?</p>
<p>The children were delighted by the monkeys swinging wildly through the trees.
Answer: No Error.</p>
<p>Question 2: Isn't it true that when you have two nouns beside each other, you should make one possessive? Shouldn't it be "the monkeys' swinging"?</p>
<p>Never mind, I think I can answer Question 2. I guess it’s because “swinging” is a participle, not a gerund. A participle acts as an adjective, not a noun, so there’s no need to add the apostrophe + s.</p>
<p>I’ll replace Question 2 by this question:</p>
<p>The gong, believed to have originated in Western Asia, reached China in the sixth century, where it continues to be used for a wide range of purposes, (including as) a military signal, a rhythmic accompaniment for vocal performance, and a ritual instrument.</p>
<p>Question 2: Shouldn’t “including” modify “purposes” since it’s closest to it? </p>
<p>(this is similar to question 1)</p>
<p>Here’s another one; very similar:</p>
<p>“You should consider your options carefully.”
Answer: No Error.
“carefully” should modify “consider”, no? Why isn’t it: “You should carefully consider your options”?</p>