Correcting Dangling Modifiers
What is a dangling modifier?
How to fix dangling modifiers
Review A
Review B
What is a dangling modifier?
A modifier has to clearly and sensibly modify
another word or word group.
Training for a marathon, Sue jogs every morning.
Adjective phrase
But look at this sentence:
?
Jogging in the park, a rabbit watched me.
Adjective phrase
A rabbit?
Who or what is jogging through the park?
What is a dangling modifier?
A dangling modifier is a modifier that doesn’t
clearly and sensibly modify another word or word
group.
? ? ?
Frustrated,
Beginning
To theguitar,
master the song
chordagain,
was replayed
a string
practice by
broke.
the guitarist.
is needed.
Is practice
Did the string
mastering
begin the
thesong
again?
guitar?
Was the chord frustrated?
What is a dangling modifier?
Dangling modifiers often occur at the
beginning of a sentence. When a
sentence begins with a
participial phrase or infinitive phrase,
use these steps to spot dangling
modifiers.
Step 1: The subject of the phrase should come
right after the comma. Look at the word or word
group right after the comma.
Participial phrase
Moving carefully,
Moving carefully, the
the rope
rope was
was held
held tightly.
tightly.
What is a dangling modifier?
Step 2: Ask yourself, “Does it make sense for the
phrase to modify the word or word group after the
comma?”
Dangling
Participialmodifier
phrase ?
Moving carefully, the rope was held tightly.
Was the rope moving carefully?
No, it doesn’t make sense for moving carefully to
modify rope. Rope is not the subject of the participial
phrase.
If the sentence doesn’t make sense, you probably
have a dangling modifier.
What is a dangling modifier?
Try it out with this sentence:
Dangling modifier ?
Looking through the keyhole, the test tube
gleamed in the light.
Which word or word group follows
the comma? test tube
Does it make sense that the test
tube is looking through the keyhole?
No. The phrase is a dangling modifier.
What is a dangling modifier?
Many dangling modifiers are right at the
beginning of the sentence, but dangling modifiers
can occur in other places in a sentence as well.
Dangling modifier
My exam results were poor, having overslept.
Did the exam results oversleep? No.
Dangling modifier
The scenery, driving through the mountains, was
spectacular.
Did the scenery drive through the mountains? No.
What is a dangling modifier?
On Your Own
Circle the word or word group that appears to be modified
by the underlined word or phrase. Then, determine whether
the underlined word or phrase is a dangling modifier. Write
D for a dangling modifier or C if the modifier is not
dangling.
___ 1. Hiking in the mountains, the views were great.
___ 2. Looking over my shoulder, I saw a gigantic wave.
___ 3. Out of breath from running, the bus left before I
reached the stop.
[End of Section]
How to fix dangling modifiers
To fix a dangling modifier, you will need to make
the meaning logical and clear.
Strategy 1: Revise the word group that follows
the dangling modifier.
Dangling modifier ?
Lost and thirsty, the the trail waswelcomed
hikers a welcome the
sight.
sight of
the trail.
Was the trail “lost and thirsty”?
No.
NowAthe
logical subject—such
modifier as hikers—needs
lost and thirsty logically andtoclearly
follow modifies
the comma.
the
subject hikers.
How to fix dangling modifiers
Strategy 1: Revise the word group that follows
the dangling modifier.
Dangling modifier ?
To become a doctor, years of study
are required.
Does to become a doctor sensibly modify years?
No. A logical subject—such as you—needs to follow the comma.
To become a doctor, you must study for years.
Now the infinitive phrase clearly and sensibly tells why
you must study.
How to fix dangling modifiers
Strategy 2: Change the dangling modifier into a
clause.
Dangling modifier ?
Lost and we
Because thirsty,
werethe trail
lost and was a welcome
thirsty, sight.
the trail was a
welcome sight.
Changing the dangling modifier into an adverb clause makes the
meaning clear. The adverb clause explains why the trail was a
welcome sight.
How to fix dangling modifiers
Strategy 2: Change the dangling modifier into a
clause.
Dangling modifier ?
To become a doctor, years of study
are required.
If you want to become a doctor, you must study
for years.
Changing the modifier into an adverb clause and revising the
word after the comma makes the meaning clear. Now the adverb
clause explains why you must study.
How to fix dangling modifiers
On Your Own
Revise each sentence to correct the dangling modifier.
1. Together, the fruit was picked and put into baskets.
2. Perched on a stool by the sink, the potatoes were
easy to peel.
3. My telephone rang right after walking in the door.
4. To find our way, the map was unfolded.
[End of Section]
Review A
Identify the dangling modifier in each sentence.
1. Earth appeared very small walking on the moon.
2. To fly on the space shuttle, training is necessary.
3. Winning the game, a celebration seemed like a great
idea.
4. Leaving my dirty shoes outside, the floor was kept clean.
5. Frustrated, all of the scientists’ results were reexamined.
[End of Section]
Review B
Revise each sentence to correct the dangling modifier.
1. Taking care of children, a sense of humor is needed.
2. Meaning to be respectful, his hat was removed.
3. Hot and tired, the water tasted refreshing to her.
4. Being hungry, the refrigerator was opened.
5. Looking overgrown, Kyle decided to mow the lawn.
[End of Section]
The End
