Dangling
Modifiers
A dangling modifier is a group of words not properly positioned near
the noun they are intended to modify. Modifying phrases that
tend to dangle often include a word ending with -ed or
-ing, and most frequently appear at the beginning of a sentence.
 |
Damaged beyond repair, Private Douglas sat
disconsolately beside the overturned jeep. |
The private is not "damaged beyond repair"; his vehicle
is.
All modifying words and phrases should be placed next to the word in
the sentence that is being modified. A modifying word or phrase naturally
wants to attach itself to the word next to it, especially if that next
word is a noun. Make sure the subject of the main clause is
the logical, intended recipient of the modifier:
|
Bringing much-needed protection to the isolated
rural communities, Bosnian villages welcomed Canadian soldiers as
heroes. |
 |
Bringing much-needed protection to the isolated
rural communities, Canadian soldiers were welcomed as heroes in Bosnian
villages. |
Practice Exercises
(12 questions) |
| Help!
To discover whether a modifying phrase is dangling,
construct a sentence with the modifying phrase, using the noun closest
to it in the original sentence as the subject. If the new sentence
does not make sense, then you have found a dangling modifier. For
example:
 |
Breaking his hockey stick
in anger, Lieutenant Crosscheck's quick temper got the
best of him again. |
The subject of the main sentence is "Lt Crosscheck's
quick temper." Try making it the subject
of a sentence that combines with the modifying phrase: Lt Crosscheck's
quick temper broke his hockey stick in anger. This doesn't
make sense. The sentence needs to be reorganized:
 |
Letting his quick temper
get the best of him again, Lieutenant Crosscheck broke his hockey
stick in anger. |
Apply this Help! method
to this revised sentence and you will find that the modifying phrase
is in the right spot: Lieutenant Crosscheck let his quick temper
get the best of him again. |
|
