Dangling and Misplaced ModifiersName
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Dangling and misplaced modifiers can be amusing.
However, a misleading sentence such as A wart
appeared on my left hand that I want removed can also
create awkward prose. A dangling modifier describes
or limits a word or words that are missing from the
sentence. A misplaced modifier occurs when the word
or phrase it describes is not close enough to be clear.
In both instances, the solution is to move the modifier
closer to the word(s) it describes or limits.
Dangling modifier: While searching the Web, a
virus infiltrated my computer.
Revision: While searching the Web, I discovered
that a virus had infiltrated my
computer.
Revision: While I was searching the Web, a virus
infiltrated my computer.
Misplaced modifier: She died in the house in which
she was born at the age of 88.
Revision: At the age of 88, she died in the house
in which she was born.
Try this trick for detecting and remedying dangling
© Dr. Mary Ellen Guffey – May be duplicated for educational purposes only.
ESSENTIALS OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
modifiers. Ask the question who or what? after an
introductory phrase. The words immediately following
should tell the reader who or what is performing the
action.
Dangling modifier: After working ten hours, the
report was finally completed.
Revision: After working ten hours, we finally
completed the report.
It's unimportant to distinguish dangling modifiers (some
of which are called dangling participles) from misplaced
modifiers. More important is to recognize a modification
problem and repair it. The following exercise provides
typical dangling and misplaced modifiers:
1. After leaving the office, Melissa's car would not start.
After leaving the office, Melissa found that her car
would not start.
2. To bolster sagging car sales, cash incentives were
tried by domestic manufacturers.
To bolster sagging car sales, domestic manufacturers
tried cash incentives.
3. Skilled at graphic design, the contract went to
DesignPlus.
Skilled at graphic design, the contract went to
DesignPlus.
© Dr. Mary Ellen Guffey – May be duplicated for educational purposes only.
ESSENTIALS OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
4. Walking up the driveway, the Hummer parked in the
garage was immediately noticed by detectives.
Walking up the driveway, the Hummer parked in the
garage was immediately noticed by detectives.
5. To meet the deadline, your Excel figures must be
received before June 1.
To meet the deadline, you must submit your Excel
figures before June 1.
6. As an important customer to us, we would like to tell
you that we have moved our administrative offices.
7. The attorney said his client was returning from the
swimming pool when, without warning, she was bitten
by a snake on her right foot.
8. The Park Hotel is just one of the Art Deco buildings
you can see strolling about South Beach.
9. Firemen rescued a dog from a car that had a broken
leg.
10. Acting as CEO, several new employees were hired
by Mr. Jensen.
11. Despite being paralyzed from the waist down,
doctors hoped that Thomas would walk again.
12. I accept your kind offer to serve on the committee
© Dr. Mary Ellen Guffey – May be duplicated for educational purposes only.
ESSENTIALS OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
that I received on May 3.
13. Former hostage Terry Waite talked about his five
years in Beirut with Barbara Walters.
14. While driving to work, the proposal deadline
worried me intensely.
15. To find a good job, diligence and perseverance are
needed
© Dr. Mary Ellen Guffey – May be duplicated for educational purposes only.
ESSENTIALS OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
