Dangling Modifiers
What is a modifier?
A modifier describes, clarifies, or gives more detail about a concept.
What is a dangling modifier?
A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence. The intended subject of the modifier is missing from the sentence, and instead another subject appears in its place.
How do you fix sentences with dangling modifiers?
Make sure the subject that is modified immediately follows the comma after the modifier.
Examples
Method 1: revise the main clause
Having finished the assignment, the TV was turned on.
Having finished the assignment, Bob turned on the TV.
→ "Having finished" states an action but does not name the doer of that action; the doer must be the subject of the main clause that follows
While driving to work, a car accident was witnessed on the highway.
While driving to work, Jane witnessed a car accident on the highway.
Fumbling in her purse, the keys could not be found.
Fumbling in her purse, she could not find the keys.
Hungry after hours of hiking, my packed sandwich was devoured upon reaching the peak.
Hungry after hours of hiking, I devoured my packed sandwich upon reaching the peak.
Method 2: revise the modifier phrase
While driving to work, a car accident caused a traffic jam on the highway.
While Jane was driving to work, a car accident caused a traffic jam on the highway.
Taken down to the cellar, the darkness obscured the details of the room.
As he was taken down to the cellar, the darkness obscured the details of the room.
The experiment was a failure, not having studied the lab manual carefully.
They failed the experiment, not having studied the lab manual carefully.
Quiz!
Check your answers!
Quiz Answers (out of 5):
1.B
2.D
3.A
4.B
5.D