DANGLING AND MISPLACED MODIFIERS
Dangling Modifiers are words or phrases that do not have a clear term to modify in a sentence.
Often, they can be found at the beginning of sentences, though they can also appear at a sentence’s
end. They frequently include an –ing word (gerund) and to + verb (infinitive) phrase near the start
of a sentence.
Misplaced Modifiers are words or phrases that do not clearly point to the word or phrase they
modify, in this way obscuring meaning.
Directions: In the blank beside each sentence, indicate whether that sentence contains a dangling modifier (DM) or a
misplaced modifier (MM). Then rewrite the sentence to correct it. Check the answers by using the key below.
Because rewritten sentences will vary, have a writing counselor check your new sentences for you.
Examples:
a. At the age of six, my mother sang hymns to me. DM
Correction: When I was six, my mother sang hymns to me.
b. We were told at midnight the concert would begin. MM
Correction: We were told the concert would begin at midnight.
1. The car on the bridge which is green is mine. (The green car on the bridge is mine) MM
2. Expecting confusion, our plans were made. (Our plans were made despite expecting confusion) DM
3. Feeling hot, sweaters were taken off. (Sweaters were taken off because they were feeling hot) DM
4. I showed my dog to the veterinarian with the fleas. (I showed my dog, riddled with fleas, to the
veterinian) MM
5. Larry told me he was getting married that afternoon at night. (Larry told me that afternoon that he is
going to get marries) DM
6. This typewriter is used by a secretary with a wide carriage. (The secretary with a wide carriage uses this
typewriter) MM
7. Swimming out into the sea, the current grew stronger. (The current grew stronger as we swam out into
the sea) DM
8. Walking along the bridge, a ship suddenly appeared. (A ship suddenly appeared while we were walking
along the bridge) DM
9. The Honda was stalled on the road out of oil. (Out of oil, the Honda, was stalled on the road)
MM
10. He kept a black book of all the girls he had dated in his desk. (He kept a black book of all the people he
murdered, in his desk) MM
MISPLACED MODIFIERS WORKSHEET
Write "C" if the modifier is correctly placed. Write "MM" if it is misplaced. Then, in the "MM"
sentences, circle the modifier and draw an arrow to show where it should go.
MM 1. The man was stopped for speeding in the blue sweater.
C 2. I almost saw the whole movie, but I fell asleep around midnight.
MM 3. Joe promised to mow the lawn running out the door.
MM 4. The initials were those of the lovers carved on the tree.
C 5. There are only two parking spaces left in the lot.
C 6. Every four hours the doctor told him to take a pill.
C 7. Sitting on the porch, I smoked my last cigarette.
C 8. The woman walked toward us wearing the feather hat.
MM 9. The jet crashed into a cliff carrying 155 passengers.
C 10. I hardly ate any breakfast.
MM 11. I watched the mechanic fix the car with admiration.
C 12. I earn fifty dollars a week scarcely.
C 13. Reaching into the cupboard, I found the bag of cookies.
MM 14. We borrowed a mower from a neighbor that was broken.
MM 15. Climbing up the telephone pole, we saw a squirrel.
Correct the following sentences by changing the dangling modifier into a dependent clause.
Rewrite the entire sentence in the space provided.
1. Running around, the lamps got broken.
While we were running around, the lamps got broken .
2. Dashing through the snow, a stone upset the sleigh.
As we were dashing through the snow, a stone upset the sleigh .
3. Driving home, our car got a flat tire.
As we were driving home, our car got a flat tire .
4. Waiting for my friend, the weather turned bad.
While waiting for my friend, the weather turned bad .
5. Taking out the garbage, snow started to fall.
While we were taking out the garbage, snow started falling .
