Scribd
Upload
31 views

Dangling Modifier Errors

Dangling modifiers occur when a word or phrase is placed incorrectly in a sentence, modifying something it does not intend to. This can happen at the beginning or end of a sentence when the intended subject is not specified. Common types of dangling modifiers include participles, gerunds, infinitives, and elliptical clauses. Dangling modifiers can be repaired by placing the intended subject next to the modifier or rewriting the modifier as an adverbial clause to avoid needing an immediate subject.

Uploaded by

Alex Oprean
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
31 views

Dangling Modifier Errors

Dangling modifiers occur when a word or phrase is placed incorrectly in a sentence, modifying something it does not intend to. This can happen at the beginning or end of a sentence when the intended subject is not specified. Common types of dangling modifiers include participles, gerunds, infinitives, and elliptical clauses. Dangling modifiers can be repaired by placing the intended subject next to the modifier or rewriting the modifier as an adverbial clause to avoid needing an immediate subject.

Uploaded by

Alex Oprean
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Dangling Modifier Errors

A dangling modifier is "dangling" because its placement gives it nothing to


modify. 
       
In many cases, the dangling modifier appears at the beginning of a sentence,
although it can also come at the end.  Sometimes the error occurs because
the sentence fails to specify anything to which the modifier can refer.  At other
times the dangling modifier is placed next to the wrong noun or noun
substitute:  a noun that it does not modify.
    
Dangling modifiers may appear in a variety of forms. 

Dangling participles:

     
In this sentence, the modifier passing the building is positioned next to the
broken window.
The resulting meaning is that "the broken window" is "passing the building,"
clearly not the 
intended meaning.
     
 

     
In this sentence, the modifier once revised and corrected is positioned next
to I, suggesting that "I" have been "revised and corrected."
       

Dangling gerund:

     

1
In this sentence, the modifier after roasting for three hours is positioned
next to we,  meaning that "we" have been "roasting for three hours."
 
    

Dangling infinitive:

     

In this sentence, the modifier to walk a high wire is positioned next to a
pole.  As a result, the  sentence means that "a pole" can walk "a high wire."
       
        

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.

           

                  

How to repair dangling modifiers – two options:


1. Create a word for the modifier to describe.  Place it next to the modifier.

            (Sometimes you will need to invent a subject.)

2
     
With the modifier next to my paper, the sentence clearly means that "my paper" was
"corrected  and rewritten."
                          

            
With the modifier next to an acrobat, the sentence clearly means that "an acrobat" can
"walk a high wire."
                

2.  Rewrite the modifier (phrase) as an adverbial clause, thus eliminating the


need for an immediate word to modify.

          

With its own subject, "was revised and corrected" clearly refers to "my paper."
 
 
     

    
 
 
 
 
With its own subject, "was just six years old" clearly refers to "I."
    

3
     
Now the clause clearly shows that "we" have "roasted the turkey."
   
 

You might also like