Rules for Writers from the experts...

Now , Mr. Saffire would understand
that I once believed that a gerend
was a close cousin of the gerbil...

a dangling participle.?

William Safire's Rules for Writers

· Remember to never split an infinitive.
· The passive voice should never be used.
· Do not put statements in the negative form.
· Verbs have to agree with their subjects.
· Proofread carefully to see if you words out.
· If you reread your work, you can find on rereading a great deal of repetition can be by rereading and editing.
· A writer must not shift your point of view.
· And don't start a sentence with a conjunction. (Remember, too, a preposition is a terrible word to end a sentence with.)
· Don't overuse exclamation marks!!
· Place pronouns as close as possible, especially in long sentences, as of 10 or more words, to their antecedents.
· Writing carefully, dangling participles must be avoided.
· If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.
· Take the bull by the hand and avoid mixing metaphors.
· Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.
· Everyone should be careful to use a singular pronoun with singular nouns in their writing.
· Always pick on the correct idiom.
· The adverb always follows the verb. Last but not least, avoid clichés like the plague; seek viable alternatives