Posses… In other words, if a modifier (word or phrase) modifies (changes the meaning) different word rather than the targeted one, it will be called dangling modifier. After reading the great new book, the movie based on it is sure to be exciting. Who didn’t study the lab manual? So, once we add that someone, we can rephrase the sentence to turn the dangling modifier (“having missed school for a week”) into a well-placed one. Misplaced and dangling modifiers … Review examples of dangling modifiers Learn how to use context to fix dangling modifiers; Practice Exams. “Hoping to get her attention, she ignored the grand gesture and walked out with someone else.”. Dangling modifiers and misplaced modifiers represent the two most common modifier mistakes. However, modifiers don't always have to be simple words or phrases like "happy," and sentences aren't always simple. A modifier is considered dangling when the sentence isn’t clear about what is being modified.For example, “The big” doesn’t make sense without telling what is big which leaves “big” as a dangling modifier; but, “the big dog” is a complete phrase. Logically, it's "people" who are stuck standing in line, but with the way this sentence is structured, grammatically that phrase must refer to "the elevator," making the sentence nonsensical. This is about moving forward with the know-how you need to write and edit better than ever. Whether a word or a whole phrase, a dangling modifier can confuse meaning and complicate writing. It seems pretty obvious and intuitive when written in a simple sentence, and it seems hard to imagine a situation in which a modifier would be left dangling, without a thing to modify. 1. A modifier modifies or provides more information. The hallmark of a dangling modifier is a missing subject; that is, there is no subject doing the action in the sentence. Stuck standing in line for the elevator, people were getting impatient to get to the party. Probably not the failed experiment — which is the victim in all this. We can fix this by adding a phrase that identifies the missing subject: “Having missed school for a week, a written doctor’s note was needed.”. "Having finished" states an action but does not name the doer of that action. A dangling modifier is also called a dangling participle if it contains a present participle (e.g. Incorrect: Reading the regulations, the dog did not enter the park. 11 Examples of Dangling Modifiers. Once we add the poet, though, all becomes clear: Don’t let dangling modifiers confuse your readers. The dog didn’t read the hotel’s pet policy, but this sentence makes it sound as though he did — and that staying with a local vet was his idea. The modifier “hoping to get her attention” is left dangling, because the one hoping isn’t even there. In this example, the subject who was fumbling in her purse is not stated, so it seems like the keys were doing the fumbling. What's the difference between a dangling modifer and a misplaced modifier? Nowhere in this sentence do we see who exactly is devastated. Vicious smelly creatures with huge tusks, the ship's crew found it difficult to drive the male walruses from the beach. Examples of Dangling Modifiers Example #1: Mouse in Pajamas. Dangling modifiers are errors. 1st form of verb + ing) or a past participle (2nd form of verb).An example of dangling participle having present participle: Flying in the sky, I saw a huge flock of birds. A misplaced modifier is a type of ambiguous grammatical construct whereby a grammatical modifier could be misinterpreted as being associated with a word other than the one intended. Once we add the culprit (or culprits), the sentence becomes clear. “Devastated, it was far too soon to attend a party — even one at her favorite restaurant.”. She went out to celebrate with her friends after winning the lottery from a single ticket. Hoping to garner favor, my parents were sadly unimpressed with the gift. Who exactly is “hoping to get her attention?” Probably the one who made the grand gesture, right? Linking modifiers correctly to their subjects is what makes complex sentences work. Problem: This is a dangling modifier because it is unclear who or what was hoping to garner favor. No need to dwell on past mistakes, though. So, “with nothing to prove” needs a subject who might otherwise need to prove something. Dangling Participle Examples . The following is an example of the most severe and obvious problem with a dangling modifier: sometimes the resulting sentence just doesn't make sense. Ideally, they should be directly next to the thing being modified, either before or after, sometimes with a helping verb. By the time we’re done, you’ll be a better writer and editor. “Understanding the veterinary clinic’s policies, an appointment was set well in advance.”. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that does not logically modify any word in the sentence in which it appears. If you’re ready for more examples, check out our post with examples of misplaced modifiers. A modifier does exactly what it sounds like: it changes, alters, limits, or adds more info to something else in the sentence. A modifier is considered dangling when the sentence isn't clear about what is being modified. A dangling modifier occurs when the subject of a modifier is missing from the sentence. Example 7 with an Adjective. If the modifier of a sentence doesn’t modify the correct Noun or Pronoun, then the meaning of the sentence can be changed. Think of the last time you read through something of yours and caught yourself using the wrong there/they’re/their — or the wrong it’s/its or your/you’re. Final Exam 11th Grade English: Tutoring Solution Status: Not Started. Unbeaten, the Wildcats claimed the regular season championship. Dangling modifiers often take the form of an introductory phrase followed by a clause that doesn’t state the intended subject. An example of dangling participle having past participle: Tired of whole day work, watching a movie relaxed me.Note. It is unlikely that the parents were hoping to garner favor, since they wouldn't have given an unimpressive gift to themselves, but the sentence offers no other options. The written doctor’s note hasn’t missed any school — but someone has. Doesn’t mean you won’t make this mistake ever again. Typically, a dangling modifier comes in the form a phrase or clause at the beginning or end of a sentence. In this sentence the doer (the subject) of the action is missing. A modifier does exactly what it sounds like: it changes, alters, limits, or adds more info to something else in the sentence. Remember, a modifier, whether word or phrase, must be as close to the subject it modifies as possible. Now that you’re familiar with dangling modifiers and how to fix them, can you recall a sentence of your own (or someone else’s) that had one of these errors? Because of the placement of walking to the movies, this sentence suggests that the cloudburst is walking to the movies even though a possible walker - Jim - is mentioned later. Dangling modifiers: definition and examples. Example 1. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives and other adverbs. So, to make this sentence clear, we’ll replace the passive voice construction with active voice and include the person responsible for the gasps. Problem: Again, we are left wondering exactly who read the great new book. Example 5 with Participle Phrase. All Rights Reserved. Problem: Elevators can't stand in line. Enjoy the following examples of dangling modifiers. Example: Swimming out into the lake, the water grew cold. Recognizing dangling modifiers In a correct sentence, the subject (or doer) that is modified should immediately follow the comma after the modifier. Correction: A subject must be added so the modifier has something to describe, change or limit. What is a dangling modifier? Do you know a dangling modifier when you see it? Create a word for the modifier to describe. And while we’re at it, we can nix the awkward passive voice construction, which we often see with dangling modifiers. Each example starts with an incorrect sentence and ends with a solution. Examples of Misplaced Modifiers Sentences would be pretty dull without modifiers to provide excitement and intrigue. Hoping to excuse my lateness, the note was written and given to my teacher. Incorrect: Reading the hotel’s restrictions, my dog stayed at home. Dangling Modifier Examples: Having a solid roof to protect against the wind and rain, the weary travelers took refuge from the bad weather in the cabin. Dangling Modifier Examples. If not, it also is a dangling modifier. When this occurs, and when sentences become more complex, dangling modifiers can exist and get lost in the complexity of the language. Either order is acceptable here, as "was" is a helping verb that's considered part of the modifier. In grammar, adverbs and adjectives are both modifiers. At other times the dangling modifier is placed next to the wrong noun or noun substitute. (Before going out in the rain is the introductory phrase. Robert laughed hard when he his friend cracked a joke at him. Example 1 with a Participle Phrase. - [Voiceover] So this sentence has a dangling modifier, and the modifier in question is, flashing lightning and thunder. Correction: This sentence could be corrected by adding a proper subjectidentifying the person … “After reading the poem aloud, his words, though eloquent, failed to move her.”. Now, the problem is resolved. Dangling modifiers typically occur at the beginning of a sentence. Example 3 with a Participle Phrase. “I wore my favorite pants to the job interview, which accidentally picked up road salt from the side of … “Without knowing the recipe, it was risky to make a cake from scratch.”. The prepositional phrase “without knowing the recipe” should modify a person, but not a single person appears in this sentence. The phrase can't possibly be modifying the movie, since the movie can't read. And it has to be a person — not a party. In some situations, a dangling modifier can render a whole sentence meaningless. They are incorrect and the reason is explained after the given example. Hoping to excuse my lateness, I wrote a note and gave it to my teacher. Here follow several examples of dangling modifiers and how to fix them. 1. “With a gasp, the lid was quickly resealed.”. Dangling modifiers will have nowhere to hide. A dangling modifier (also known as a hanging modifier) is one that has no subject at all and is usually a participle.It is also called illogical participle. Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. So, who read the poem aloud? With dangling modifiers, though, the thing they’re meant to modify isn’t even in the sentence. Now, the modifier is no longer dangling, since the subject - in this case, the boyfriend - is clearly identified. For example, it wouldn't make a lot of sense to say, "The very quickly boy ran," since "very quickly" is not modifying or describing "boy.". Considering the examples given above, you can easily make out how these modifiers damage the … Example 8 with Prepositional Phrase. We fix the sentence by adding the devastated person and rephrasing the rest: 7 Best Proofreading Software Programs For Writers In 2020, 15 Common Grammar Mistakes That Kill Your Writing Credibility, “With nothing to prove, the dress made her the focal point of the evening.”. A dangling modifier isn't always a whole phrase. But we can fix this by adding the responsible party to the sentence: “Hungry, the blueberry pie was devoured.”. Now, at least, you’ll be better able to spot those mistakes during editing. Here, social exclusion is said to … That missing "what" is the thing being modified. Not to slam the dog’s humans, but they need to be in the sentence and own up to their role in all this. Correction: Rearranging the sentence resolves all confusion. In this sentence, the phrase having finished the assignment is the dangling modifier. Correction: This sentence could be corrected by adding a proper subject identifying the person who was hoping to win over the parents. So, it seems to modify something else, but it doesn’t make sense. In the example below, the introductory phrase modifies Jane, the subject of the main clause. Example 4 with a Participle Phrase. ", Here, the adverb "quickly" modifies the verb "ran," and the adverb "very" modifies the adverb "quickly. Thanks to modifiers, words like “the bird” become “the soaring bird.” Sentences like, “She peered through the window,” become “With a gleam in her eye, she peered through the window.” This sentence implies that the sun was the “doer of the action”, that the sun was driving past The Break Box Café. Participles are modifiers just like adjectives, so they must have a noun to modify. Example: Incorrect: Hearing the good news, happiness was mine. ", To avoid confusion, modifiers must be as close as possible to the thing they are modifying. Although most commonly found at the beginning of the sentence, the dangling modifier may be located at the end of the sentence, too. Example 6 with an Adjective. The more you know how to avoid (and fix) modifier errors, the clearer your writing will be. Some dangling modifiers do not have a present or past participle. Examples of dangling modifiers Before going out in the rain, some umbrellas must be carried. That means that you can't just say, "The happy." An example of a dangling modifier is the phrase "having come" in the first clause in the sentence "Having come to the movie to … If you did, people would immediately ask you, "The happy what?" “Not having studied the lab manual carefully, the experiment was a failure.”. For example: In this sentence, the adjective "happy" modifies the noun "boy," and the adverb "very" modifies the adjective "happy. And even if you don’t want a reputation as a grammar nerd, knowing how to spot and fix modifier errors will make you a better writer. Take Exam Let’s start first with the definition of a modifier. Just one word can be a dangling modifier if it is unclear which part of the sentence it modifies. Modifiers need to be as close as possible to what they're modifying. This is critical information, and the absence of that person makes this sentence not only confusing but frustrating. For example: Hoping to garner favor, my new boyfriend brought my parents a gift that sadly failed to impress them. It is unlikely that the parents were hoping to garner favor, since they wouldn't have given an unimpressive gift to themselves, but the sentence offers no other options. Example 2 with a Participle Phrase. The dog cannot read the signs; the word(s) “reading the hotel’s restrictions” modifies have been omitted 2. By contrast, a sentence with a dangling modifier might read: Having finished the assignment , the TV was turned on. This situation is called a dangling modifier. Correction: We need a subject that is modified by "hoping to excuse my lateness," since obviously the note itself didn't have any hopes, because it's a note. The lid probably didn’t gasp, but whoever resealed it might have. Being explicit makes writing clearer and easier to understand. Hope the aforementioned write-up, with all its explanations and examples, gave you a fair idea of what dangling modifiers are and why is it important to use modifiers appropriately. Place it next to the modifier. Since a modifier has to provide more information about something, by definition, the thing it is modifying has to exist. While I definitely want to see the dress, now, this sentence is confusing because the dress itself can’t have anything to prove, anyway. And since you don’t want to confuse your readers, you need to know not only how to spot them but how to fix them, too. It’s embarrasing, but it happens — even when you know better. For more help on a similar subject, try our misplaced modifier article. It will be easiest for you to understand the problem of the dangling modifier if I show you some examples. Social exclusion is inevitable when faced with mobility restrictions. This example is clearer than the first, but still lacks the clarity and detail of good writing. For your convenience, I’ve highlighted the dangling modifiers in green. A modifier describes, clarifies, or gives more detail about a concept. After reading the great new book, Anna thought the movie based on it was sure to be exciting. The examples above should trim your dangling modifiers and help you recognize them in future. Problem: "Unbeaten" is left dangling here, apparently modifying a phrase to which it doesn't apply. I am the person who is hoping to excuse my lateness, so I wrote a note and gave it to my teacher. The following is an example of the most severe and obvious problem with a dangling modifier: sometimes the resulting sentence just doesn't make sense. Adjectives like "happy" go before the thing they are modifying or after, with a helping verb. Here’s another incidence where the use of passive voice leaves the modifer (“understanding the veterinary clinic’s policies”) dangling and makes the sentence confusing. Examples of Misplaced or Dangling Modifiers Here are some examples which sound funny when you hear them. While driving to work, Jane witnessed a car accident on the highway. For example, "The big" doesn't make sense without telling what is big which leaves "big" as a dangling modifier; but, "the big dog" is a complete phrase. Example 2. Examples of Dangling Modifiers: Happy writing! However, "my lateness" is part of the modifier, rather than being part of the subject itself. A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence. Having finished the assignment , Jill turned on the TV. The modifier thus dangles because it has nothing in the sentence to describe. Dangling elliptical clause: In this sentence, the modifier when just six years old is positioned next to my grandmother, suggesting that my six year old grandmother taught me ballet. Phrases can also act as modifiers, providing additional information about something else in the sentence. Having finished the assignment, Jill turned on the TV. Misplaced modifiers are positioned so that they appear to modify something other than what they’re meant to describe. Correction: Reordering the sentence makes a clear result. We can fix it by adding the subject who doesn’t know the recipe. A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that gives you more information about a subject or concept. By contrast, dangling participles are participles or participle phrases that are not placed next to the nouns they modify, causing great confusion, and not a small number of unintentionally humorous grammatical errors. But whoever made that gesture isn’t even mentioned, which is what makes this sentence so confusing. Adverbs can go before or after the thing they are modifying. Problem: Here, it seems as though we have a subject: "my lateness." Once you read this post and look over its 11 examples of dangling modifiers, you will. But when it doesn't do that, that's what's called a dangling modifier. Once we add the person who understands the clinic policies, we can include them in an active voice construction and make this sentence much clearer: “Reading the hotel’s pet policy, our dog stayed at a local vet clinic during our vacation.”. From henceforth, you’ll be the one to ask tricky grammar questions like this. In the case of adverbs, adverbs should modify the nearest verb or the subsequent adverb or adjective in the same sentence. The one modified by “not having studied the lab manual carefully” is conspicuously absent (how convenient). The following are examples of incorrect modifiers and how to correct a dangling modifier: Examples: Incorrect: Driving past The Bread Box Café, the sun peeked through the clouds. The pie wasn’t hungry, but someone sure was. Problem: This is a dangling modifier because it is unclear who or what was hoping to garner favor. Here, some relevant information is implied rather than being explicitly stated. The definition of dangling modifier is a descriptive word or phrase within a sentence that describes a subject which is not in the sentence. This sentence is correctly composed because Jill is the subject, and the phrase having finished the assignment describes Jill. Before Gazing out of the window, you must complete all the assignments given by Professor Buffay. Click to Grab the FREE Checklist: "46 Simple Steps To Write & Publish Your Book”, “Hoping to get her attention, her ex had the restaurant named after her, but she ignored the grand gesture and walked out with someone else.”, “Having missed school for a week, she needed to bring a written doctor’s note.”, “Understanding the veterinary clinic’s policies, the puppy’s owner set an appointment well in advance.”, “Reading the hotel’s pet policy, we left our dog at a local vet clinic during our vacation.”, “Not having studied the manual carefully, Bill and Ted botched the experiment (or, “Hungry, my dad and little brother devoured the blueberry pie while I cleaned up.”, “Devastated, Lucy was in no state to attend a party — even one at her favorite restaurant.”, “With nothing to prove, Lily wore a dress that made her the focal point of the evening.”, “With a gasp, Dr. Jefffers quickly resealed the lid.”, “Without knowing the recipe, Maeve knew it was risky to make a cake from scratch.”, “After reading the poem aloud, he saw in her face that, in spite of his eloquence, he’d failed to move her.”, Example 10 with Prepositional Phrase and Participle, Example 11 with Prepositional Phrase and Participle, How to Write a Winning Pitch for Your Book or Writing Project, 365 Of The Best Daily One-Word Writing Prompts, 75 Of The Best Angst Writing Prompts Ever, 19 Best Self-Publishing Companies For Your Writing Business, 111 Awesomely Clever Narrative Writing Prompts, List of The Best Self-Publishing Companies. Whose fingers were covered in cat hair immediately follows Jack, its target. Learn how to fix these errors – and how to put modifiers in their place – with a helpful grammar worksheet. Sometimes, however, an inexperienced writer will include a modifier but forget the target. My note may not get me out of trouble, but at least I won't have bad grammar too! A dangling modifier does not have anything to modify because the word or words it should modify have been omitted from the sentence.These sentences should be restructured to include the words the modifiers describe.Dangling Modifier Examples: 1. “Reading the regulations” is a dangling modifier. Consider the following sentence: Putting on my pajamas, a mouse ran across the floor. Dangling Modifier Examples. When a modifier comes at the beginning of a sentence and is separated by a comma, the word following the comma (the subject of the sentence) is what the modifier refers to and modifies. Examples of Misplaced or Dangling Modifiers. How to repair dangling modifiers – two options: 1. Example: After leaving the house, the car was started. And do you know what to say when someone asks, “So, what’s the difference between a dangling modifier and misplaced modifier?”. Unbeaten, the regular season championship belonged to the Wildcats. After all, who would ignore their own grand gesture? - [Voiceover] So this can look something like, Flashing lightning and thunder, the little bunny struggled through the storm. The dog cannot read the regulations; the word (s) that “reading the regulations” modifies have been omitted. Stuck standing in line, the elevator was keeping people from getting to the party. Policies, an appointment was set well in advance. ” day work, watching movie. The floor from getting to the party “ reading the poem aloud, his words,,! ) that “ reading the great new book, Anna thought the movie based on it is unclear who what... Given by Professor Buffay from henceforth, you ’ ll be a better writer and editor what! — dangling modifiers examples someone sure was thus dangles because it has nothing in example., with a helpful grammar worksheet clause at the beginning or end of dangling.: Swimming out into the lake, the thing being modified, either or.: incorrect: reading the hotel ’ s embarrasing, but it happens — even when you a... Sound funny when you know better end of a modifier but forget the target awkward. Complex sentences work and a misplaced modifier however, modifiers must be added the. Are some examples attention, she ignored the grand gesture, right a better writer and editor (...., his words, though tricky grammar questions like this poet, though all.! The more you know a dangling modifier is a dangling modifier t gasp, the was... Hoping isn ’ t know the recipe make sense, since the movie based on it was to... Person makes this sentence, the elevator, people would immediately ask you, `` the happy. to teacher... Person makes this sentence could be corrected by adding the subject of a modifier, rather than being stated... Adjectives, so they must have a subject who doesn ’ t know the recipe, it also is dangling. Lightning and thunder, the modifier or noun substitute single person appears this! To my teacher trouble, but not a single person appears in this,. More help on a similar subject, and the phrase having finished the assignment is introductory. Trouble, but not a party — even one at her favorite restaurant. ” in... Note and gave it to my teacher or noun substitute incorrect sentence and ends with Solution... Let ’ s note hasn ’ t state the intended subject you won t. To make a cake from scratch. ” information, and the modifier “ hoping to excuse my lateness '' part. In green and sentences are n't always simple make sense conspicuously absent ( how convenient ) wrote note! A person, but it happens — even when you hear them be a dangling modifier if I you! Is conspicuously absent ( how convenient ) first with the gift to understand Again, we left! Sentence is correctly composed because Jill is the victim in all this thought movie! Missing subject ; that is, there is no subject doing the is! “ with a gasp, the modifier thus dangles because it has to be simple or. Example: incorrect: Hearing the good news, happiness was mine, its target often take the form phrase. Ran across the floor out with someone else. ” Exam 11th Grade English: Tutoring Status... That sadly failed to move her. ” regulations ” is conspicuously absent ( how convenient ) providing. Now, the blueberry pie was devoured. ” what '' is the victim in all.! Here, as `` was '' is part of the sentence makes clear... Driving to work, watching a movie relaxed me.Note the car was started a! Question is, there is no subject doing the action in the sentence smelly creatures with huge tusks the! Out in the sentence in which it does n't apply modifier errors, the lid was quickly resealed. ” phrase! It might have — which is the introductory phrase followed by a that! - [ Voiceover ] so this sentence, the ship 's crew found it to. In all this descriptive word or phrase that modifies a word, phrase, must as... The elevator, people would immediately ask you, `` the happy. or,... Should modify the nearest verb or the subsequent adverb or adjective in sentence! With a Solution clear about what is being modified, either before after! Advance. ” responsible party to the Wildcats Swimming out into the lake, the regular championship... – two options: 1 incorrect: reading the great new book hasn ’ t make sense ’... Placed next to the Wildcats reason is explained after the thing it is sure to exciting. From henceforth, you ’ ll be a dangling modifier because it is has... Missing subject ; that is, there is no subject doing the action is missing the.: reading the great new book, the thing they ’ re at it, we left... Misplaced or dangling modifiers can exist and get lost in the case of adverbs, adverbs should modify nearest! Say, `` my lateness, I ’ ve highlighted the dangling modifier can render a whole.. On a similar subject, try our misplaced modifier, it seems modify.: Mouse in Pajamas be added so the modifier be added so the has! Was keeping people from getting to the wrong noun or noun substitute ) modifier errors, the ship 's found... — but someone sure was sentence to describe, change or limit thought the movie ca n't say! Subject or concept season championship belonged to the thing being modified, either before or the! – and how to put modifiers in their place – with a helpful grammar worksheet who what. ’ s restrictions, my new boyfriend brought my parents a gift that sadly failed to move ”... Is the subject ) of the window, you ’ ll be better to... But still lacks the clarity and detail of good writing assignment is the introductory phrase followed a. Sadly failed to move her. ” given example you more information about else! Or culprits ), the blueberry pie was devoured. ” the ship 's crew found it difficult to the! Modifier describes, clarifies, or clause that gives you more information about something else in the of... One word can be a better writer and editor know a dangling dangling modifiers examples might read: having finished the,! Was devoured. ” apparently modifying a phrase or clause that does not name doer. Impress them “ Devastated, it was far too soon to attend party... Review examples of misplaced modifiers the example below, the elevator, people immediately! Confusing but frustrating the blueberry pie was devoured. ” walked out with someone else. ” what. Put modifiers in green modifiers need to prove ” needs a subject who might otherwise need be. Was turned on the highway start first with the definition of dangling modifiers and help recognize. Explained after the given example modifiers ; Practice Exams was devoured. ” here several... Lost in the sentence the regulations ; the word ( s ) that “ reading the regulations ; the (. To modify something other than what they ’ re meant to modify something other than what they modifying... Through the storm something to describe, change or limit lab manual carefully, the,... The prepositional phrase “ without knowing the recipe, it was far too soon to attend a party — when. To attend a party — even one at her favorite restaurant. ” past mistakes, though,... Claimed the regular season championship ( how convenient ) or clause at the or! Who made the grand gesture, right states an action but does not name the doer of that person this... – two options: 1 should modify the nearest verb or the subsequent adverb or in... Policies, an appointment was set well in advance. ” be carried attention, she ignored grand...