Scribd
Upload
3K views

Misplaced Modifier and Dangling Modifiers

This document discusses two types of modifier errors: misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. A misplaced modifier is one that is incorrectly separated from the word or words it is intended to describe, which can cause misunderstanding. Generally, the solution is to place the modifier as close as possible to what it describes. A dangling modifier is one that starts a sentence but is not clearly connected to the subject of the modifier. This can unintentionally change the meaning of the sentence. Dangling modifiers need to be rewritten so the subject being modified is clearly stated. Examples of each type of error are provided along with corrections.

Uploaded by

carlos17acc
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
3K views

Misplaced Modifier and Dangling Modifiers

This document discusses two types of modifier errors: misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. A misplaced modifier is one that is incorrectly separated from the word or words it is intended to describe, which can cause misunderstanding. Generally, the solution is to place the modifier as close as possible to what it describes. A dangling modifier is one that starts a sentence but is not clearly connected to the subject of the modifier. This can unintentionally change the meaning of the sentence. Dangling modifiers need to be rewritten so the subject being modified is clearly stated. Examples of each type of error are provided along with corrections.

Uploaded by

carlos17acc
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Misplaced Modifier

A misplaced modifier is a modifier that is incorrectly separated from the word or


words that it describes. Misplaced modifiers seem to describe words that the author
did not intend them to describe. When modifiers are misplaced, the reader may
misunderstand the sentence. Generally, the solution is to place the modifier as close
as possible to the word or words it describes.

Misplaced Modifier Correct version


1. Sam bought a used car from a local Sam bought a used car with a smoky
dealer with a smoky tailpipe. tailpipe from a local dealer.

2. The robin built a nest at the back of our The robin built a nest of grass and string at
house of grass and string. the back of our house.

3. Christie almost sneezed fifteen times last Christie sneezed almost fifteen times last
evening. evening.

4. I almost listened to the whole album. I listened to almost the whole album.

5. He was staring at the girl by the vending He was staring at the girl wearing dark
machine wearing dark glasses. glasses by the vending machine.

6. The faulty alarm nearly sounded five The faulty alram system sounded nearly
times yesterday. five times yesterday.

7. I heard that there was a revolution on the On the evening news, I heard that there was
evening news. a revolution.

8. They almost worked five years on that They worked almost five years on that
system. system.

9. The patient was referred to a Sam found a letter in the mailbox that
psychologist with several emotional doesn't belong to her.
problems.

10. Two cars were reported stolen by the Yesterday, the Farmingdale police reported
Farmingdale police yesterday. that two cars were stolen.
Dangling Modifier
A modifier that starts a sentence must be followed right away by the word that it
describes. Otherwise, the modifier is said to be dangling, and the sentence takes on an
unintended meaning.

Dangling modifier Correct Version


1. Sitting in the dentist’s chair, the sound of As Larry was sitting in the dentist’s chair,
the drill made Larry sweat. the sound of the drill made him sweat.

2. Sitting in the dentist’s chair, the sound of Sitting in the dentist’s chair, Larry sweated
the drill made Larry sweat. at the sound of the drill.

3. Soaring through the sky, Brenda watched Brenda watched the high-powered jet
the high-powered jet. soaring through the sky.

4. Piled up next to the washer, I began I began doing the laundry piled up next to
doing the laundry. the washer.

5. While talking on the phone, the doorbell While John was talking on the phone, the
rang. doorbell rang.

6. Standing on the balcony, the ocean view Standing on the balcony, we had a
was magnificent. magnificent ocean view.

7. Running across the floor, the rug slipped As I was running across the floor, the rug
and I lost my balance. slipped and I lost my balance,

8. While taking out the trash, the sack While Jamie was taking out the trash, the
broke. sack broke.

9. While taking a test, a fire alarm rang. While we took a test, a fire alarm rang.

10. In retrospect, it was a mistake. In retrospect, I see it was a mistake.

You might also like