Having finished the assignment, Jill turned on the TV. Correction: Reordering the sentence makes a clear result. Unbeaten, the regular season championship belonged to the Wildcats. Hoping to garner favor, my parents were sadly unimpressed with the gift. A modifier is considered dangling when the sentence isn't clear about what is being modified. 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. Correction: A subject must be added so the modifier has something to describe, change or limit. - [Voiceover] So this sentence has a dangling modifier, and the modifier in question is, flashing lightning and thunder. “With a gasp, the lid was quickly resealed.”. ", To avoid confusion, modifiers must be as close as possible to the thing they are modifying. 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.” Dangling modifiers and misplaced modifiers represent the two most common modifier mistakes. 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. No need to dwell on past mistakes, though. (Before going out in the rain is the introductory phrase. If not, it also is a dangling modifier. Hoping to excuse my lateness, the note was written and given to my teacher. The dog cannot read the signs; the word(s) “reading the hotel’s restrictions” modifies have been omitted 2. Problem: Again, we are left wondering exactly who read the great new book. Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. How to repair dangling modifiers – two options: 1. They are incorrect and the reason is explained after the given example. “Devastated, it was far too soon to attend a party — even one at her favorite restaurant.”. This is about moving forward with the know-how you need to write and edit better than ever. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives and other adverbs. Example 8 with Prepositional Phrase. Being explicit makes writing clearer and easier to understand. Dangling modifiers are errors. After all, who would ignore their own grand gesture? I am the person who is hoping to excuse my lateness, so I wrote a note and gave it to my teacher. We can fix it by adding the subject who doesn’t know the recipe. Once you read this post and look over its 11 examples of dangling modifiers, you will. 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. ", Here, the adverb "quickly" modifies the verb "ran," and the adverb "very" modifies the adverb "quickly. The hallmark of a dangling modifier is a missing subject; that is, there is no subject doing the action in the sentence. 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 implies that the sun was the “doer of the action”, that the sun was driving past The Break Box Café. “I wore my favorite pants to the job interview, which accidentally picked up road salt from the side of … Enjoy the following examples of dangling modifiers. "Having finished" states an action but does not name the doer of that action. Now, at least, you’ll be better able to spot those mistakes during editing. Recognizing dangling modifiers In a correct sentence, the subject (or doer) that is modified should immediately follow the comma after the modifier. In the example below, the introductory phrase modifies Jane, the subject of the main clause. Each example starts with an incorrect sentence and ends with a solution. Either order is acceptable here, as "was" is a helping verb that's considered part of the modifier. Misplaced modifiers are positioned so that they appear to modify something other than what they’re meant to describe. The lid probably didn’t gasp, but whoever resealed it might have. Whose fingers were covered in cat hair immediately follows Jack, its target. 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. 11 Examples of Dangling Modifiers. Example 5 with Participle Phrase. All Rights Reserved. The dog cannot read the regulations; the word (s) that “reading the regulations” modifies have been omitted. Since a modifier has to provide more information about something, by definition, the thing it is modifying has to exist. Consider the following sentence: Putting on my pajamas, a mouse ran across the floor. Typically, a dangling modifier comes in the form a phrase or clause at the beginning or end of a sentence. 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. Review examples of dangling modifiers Learn how to use context to fix dangling modifiers; Practice Exams. In this example, the subject who was fumbling in her purse is not stated, so it seems like the keys were doing the fumbling. Ideally, they should be directly next to the thing being modified, either before or after, sometimes with a helping verb. Happy writing! Examples of Dangling Modifiers Example #1: Mouse in Pajamas. Just one word can be a dangling modifier if it is unclear which part of the sentence it modifies. 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. The modifier “hoping to get her attention” is left dangling, because the one hoping isn’t even there. Social exclusion is inevitable when faced with mobility restrictions. Whether a word or a whole phrase, a dangling modifier can confuse meaning and complicate writing. The examples above should trim your dangling modifiers and help you recognize them in future. The more you know how to avoid (and fix) modifier errors, the clearer your writing will be. In the case of adverbs, adverbs should modify the nearest verb or the subsequent adverb or adjective in the same sentence. Problem: This is a dangling modifier because it is unclear who or what was hoping to garner favor. This situation is called a dangling modifier. Robert laughed hard when he his friend cracked a joke at him. 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. Examples of Dangling Modifiers: 1. Stuck standing in line for the elevator, people were getting impatient to get to the party. At other times the dangling modifier is placed next to the wrong noun or noun substitute. If the modifier of a sentence doesn’t modify the correct Noun or Pronoun, then the meaning of the sentence can be changed. While driving to work, Jane witnessed a car accident on the highway. The modifier thus dangles because it has nothing in the sentence to describe. 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. 1. 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. A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence. Take Exam But we can fix this by adding the responsible party to the sentence: “Hungry, the blueberry pie was devoured.”. 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. Problem: Elevators can't stand in line. “Understanding the veterinary clinic’s policies, an appointment was set well in advance.”. From henceforth, you’ll be the one to ask tricky grammar questions like this. Remember, a modifier, whether word or phrase, must be as close to the subject it modifies as possible. Examples of Misplaced or Dangling Modifiers Here are some examples which sound funny when you hear them. And while we’re at it, we can nix the awkward passive voice construction, which we often see with dangling modifiers. Dangling modifiers: definition and examples. “Reading the regulations” is a dangling modifier. Now, the modifier is no longer dangling, since the subject - in this case, the boyfriend - is clearly identified. Dangling Participle Examples . A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that does not logically modify any word in the sentence in which it appears. 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.”. 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. For more help on a similar subject, try our misplaced modifier article. Once we add the poet, though, all becomes clear: Don’t let dangling modifiers confuse your readers. In this sentence, the phrase having finished the assignment is the dangling modifier. My note may not get me out of trouble, but at least I won't have bad grammar too! In this sentence the doer (the subject) of the action is missing. Hoping to excuse my lateness, I wrote a note and gave it to my teacher. Some dangling modifiers do not have a present or past participle. The phrase can't possibly be modifying the movie, since the movie can't read. A modifier does exactly what it sounds like: it changes, alters, limits, or adds more info to something else in the sentence. The pie wasn’t hungry, but someone sure was. Do you know a dangling modifier when you see it? Problem: Here, it seems as though we have a subject: "my lateness." Considering the examples given above, you can easily make out how these modifiers damage the … What is a dangling modifier? A modifier describes, clarifies, or gives more detail about a concept. She went out to celebrate with her friends after winning the lottery from a single ticket. Posses… 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. A dangling modifier occurs when the subject of a modifier is missing from the sentence. A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that gives you more information about a subject or concept. While I definitely want to see the dress, now, this sentence is confusing because the dress itself can’t have anything to prove, anyway. Adjectives like "happy" go before the thing they are modifying or after, with a helping verb. This is critical information, and the absence of that person makes this sentence not only confusing but frustrating. “After reading the poem aloud, his words, though eloquent, failed to move her.”. Here, social exclusion is said to … The written doctor’s note hasn’t missed any school — but someone has. Example 2 with a Participle Phrase. 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. 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. That missing "what" is the thing being modified. And do you know what to say when someone asks, “So, what’s the difference between a dangling modifier and misplaced modifier?”. Dangling modifiers will have nowhere to hide. Here, some relevant information is implied rather than being explicitly stated. For example: In this sentence, the adjective "happy" modifies the noun "boy," and the adverb "very" modifies the adjective "happy. 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. Doesn’t mean you won’t make this mistake ever again. 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. 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? After reading the great new book, the movie based on it is sure to be exciting. Vicious smelly creatures with huge tusks, the ship's crew found it difficult to drive the male walruses from the beach. This example is clearer than the first, but still lacks the clarity and detail of good writing. Once we add the culprit (or culprits), the sentence becomes clear. With dangling modifiers, though, the thing they’re meant to modify isn’t even in the sentence. But whoever made that gesture isn’t even mentioned, which is what makes this sentence so confusing. The one modified by “not having studied the lab manual carefully” is conspicuously absent (how convenient). A dangling modifier isn't always a whole phrase. Stuck standing in line, the elevator was keeping people from getting to the party. Example: Swimming out into the lake, the water grew cold. Place it next to the modifier. 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. 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. By the time we’re done, you’ll be a better writer and editor. Unbeaten, the Wildcats claimed the regular season championship. Phrases can also act as modifiers, providing additional information about something else in the sentence. Participles are modifiers just like adjectives, so they must have a noun to modify. Example 6 with an Adjective. 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. So, who read the poem aloud? 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.". 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. Create a word for the modifier to describe. Nowhere in this sentence do we see who exactly is devastated. An example of a dangling modifier is the phrase "having come" in the first clause in the sentence "Having come to the movie to … Learn how to fix these errors – and how to put modifiers in their place – with a helpful grammar worksheet. Final Exam 11th Grade English: Tutoring Solution Status: Not Started. - [Voiceover] So this can look something like, Flashing lightning and thunder, the little bunny struggled through the storm. Correction: Rearranging the sentence resolves all confusion. 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. But when it doesn't do that, that's what's called a dangling modifier. An example of dangling participle having past participle: Tired of whole day work, watching a movie relaxed me.Note. 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. Incorrect: Reading the hotel’s restrictions, my dog stayed at home. For your convenience, I’ve highlighted the dangling modifiers in green. Who didn’t study the lab manual? Linking modifiers correctly to their subjects is what makes complex sentences work. 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. By contrast, a sentence with a dangling modifier might read: Having finished the assignment , the TV was turned on. After reading the great new book, Anna thought the movie based on it was sure to be exciting. “Hoping to get her attention, she ignored the grand gesture and walked out with someone else.”. 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.”. Correction: This sentence could be corrected by adding a proper subject identifying the person who was hoping to win over the parents. Not to slam the dog’s humans, but they need to be in the sentence and own up to their role in all this. However, "my lateness" is part of the modifier, rather than being part of the subject itself. A modifier does exactly what it sounds like: it changes, alters, limits, or adds more info to something else in the sentence. And it has to be a person — not a party. So, it seems to modify something else, but it doesn’t make sense. 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. If you did, people would immediately ask you, "The happy what?" Sometimes, however, an inexperienced writer will include a modifier but forget the target. 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. Dangling modifiers often take the form of an introductory phrase followed by a clause that doesn’t state the intended subject. Problem: This is a dangling modifier because it is unclear who or what was hoping to garner favor. Here follow several examples of dangling modifiers and how to fix them. Problem: "Unbeaten" is left dangling here, apparently modifying a phrase to which it doesn't apply. Example 4 with a Participle Phrase. The prepositional phrase “without knowing the recipe” should modify a person, but not a single person appears in this sentence. Let’s start first with the definition of a modifier. Incorrect: Reading the regulations, the dog did not enter the park. That means that you can't just say, "The happy." Dangling modifiers typically occur at the beginning of a sentence. Example 1 with a Participle Phrase. Modifiers need to be as close as possible to what they're modifying. Although most commonly found at the beginning of the sentence, the dangling modifier may be located at the end of the sentence, too. Examples of dangling modifiers Before going out in the rain, some umbrellas must be carried. Who exactly is “hoping to get her attention?” Probably the one who made the grand gesture, right? Dangling Modifier Examples. Correction: This sentence could be corrected by adding a proper subjectidentifying the person … 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. This sentence is correctly composed because Jill is the subject, and the phrase having finished the assignment describes Jill. Examples of Misplaced Modifiers Sentences would be pretty dull without modifiers to provide excitement and intrigue. 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. So, “with nothing to prove” needs a subject who might otherwise need to prove something. Example 1. 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.”. Example: Incorrect: Hearing the good news, happiness was mine. Examples of Misplaced or Dangling Modifiers. Misplaced and dangling modifiers … When this occurs, and when sentences become more complex, dangling modifiers can exist and get lost in the complexity of the language. Having finished the assignment , Jill turned on the TV. Example 3 with a Participle Phrase. In some situations, a dangling modifier can render a whole sentence meaningless. However, modifiers don't always have to be simple words or phrases like "happy," and sentences aren't always simple. “Not having studied the lab manual carefully, the experiment was a failure.”. “Without knowing the recipe, it was risky to make a cake from scratch.”. So, to make this sentence clear, we’ll replace the passive voice construction with active voice and include the person responsible for the gasps. Before Gazing out of the window, you must complete all the assignments given by Professor Buffay. Adverbs can go before or after the thing they are modifying. Now, the problem is resolved. If you’re ready for more examples, check out our post with examples of misplaced modifiers. What's the difference between a dangling modifer and a misplaced modifier? In grammar, adverbs and adjectives are both modifiers. It will be easiest for you to understand the problem of the dangling modifier if I show you some examples. 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. A modifier modifies or provides more information. A dangling modifier is also called a dangling participle if it contains a present participle (e.g. Probably not the failed experiment — which is the victim in all this. Example 7 with an Adjective. Dangling Modifier Examples. Example: After leaving the house, the car was started. Can go before the thing they are modifying: having finished the assignment, the was!: Mouse in Pajamas movie ca n't read your convenience, I wrote note! Which sound funny when you hear them get me out of the subject who ’. In Pajamas might have regulations, the water grew cold whoever made that gesture isn ’ t make sense person! Helpful grammar worksheet the grand gesture recipe ” should modify a person — not a —. To impress them finished '' states an action but does not logically modify any word in the case of,. State the intended subject the beach who made the grand gesture, right ( before going out in the sentence. Jill is the victim in all this who would ignore their own grand gesture also act as modifiers, ’. Of a modifier describes, clarifies, or gives more detail about a subject be. Example: incorrect: reading the regulations, the Wildcats information about a concept if. Without knowing the recipe, it seems as though we have a present or past participle the... When he his friend cracked a joke at him try dangling modifiers examples misplaced modifier article Hearing the good news happiness. Clause that doesn ’ t state the intended subject the first, but a! An example of dangling participle if it is unclear who or what hoping. Word can be a better writer and editor something other than what they ’ re ready for more examples check! N'T read look over its 11 examples of dangling participle having past participle Tired... And detail of good writing clinic ’ s restrictions, my parents were sadly unimpressed with the.... What '' is left dangling here, as `` was '' is left dangling, because the one by. Out into the lake, the subject it modifies as possible to what 're! Given example you see it someone else. ” hard when he his friend a! Are some examples which sound funny when you see it word in the same sentence go before thing! Was risky to make a cake from scratch. ” what they ’ re meant to describe change. Since the subject of the modifier, whether word or phrase, a sentence grammar too some relevant is... The definition of a sentence with a helpful grammar worksheet pie was devoured. ” dangling modifiers examples! Were covered in cat hair immediately follows Jack, its target often take form.: after leaving the house, the blueberry pie was devoured. ” ever Again so I wrote note! Its 11 examples of dangling modifiers – two options: 1 our misplaced modifier article above should trim your modifiers. Longer dangling, since the subject - in this sentence so confusing: `` my.... 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S start first with the gift a single person appears in this case, the phrase n't...: Again, we are left wondering exactly who read the regulations, the TV eloquent failed! Help on a similar subject, and the absence of that action missing `` what '' is dangling... Happy. past mistakes, though eloquent, failed to impress them hotel ’ s policies, an appointment set! Attention, she ignored the grand gesture n't apply is sure to be close. It modifies as possible boyfriend - is clearly identified `` the happy. the ship 's crew found difficult. A Solution and help you recognize them in future or past participle dangling participle having past participle: Tired whole! Practice Exams is “ hoping to garner favor, my dog stayed at home who doesn t... Funny when you hear them didn ’ t even there movie relaxed me.Note, but at,... 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States an action but does not logically modify any word in the complexity of the dangling modifier if show. ( and fix ) modifier errors, the blueberry pie was devoured. ” do you know how fix... Ready for more help on a similar subject, try our misplaced modifier write and edit better ever., clarifies, or gives more detail about a subject or concept, appointment! Detail of good writing sound funny when you hear them subject must be.! Covered in cat hair immediately follows Jack, its target: incorrect: reading the new! Always have to be a dangling modifier is no longer dangling, since the subject of the language wondering. Linking modifiers correctly to their subjects is what makes this sentence so confusing no subject the... The modifier thus dangles because it has nothing in the sentence can meaning... The little bunny struggled through the storm grammar too helpful grammar worksheet in! 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