Basic Grammar Step by Step Second Edition

Mary W. Ng

Chapter 60

Dangling Modifiers

A modifier is a word or group of words that tells something about another word in a sentence. A dangling modifier is a misplaced modifier. It is linked to the wrong word in the sentence. A sentence containing a dangling modifier does not make sense.

We may need to do one of the following so that the modifier does not modify the wrong word:

  1. Move the modifier next to the word it was meant to modify.

    Dangling:Chirping in the trees, I heard the birds.
    Revised:I heard the birds chirping in the trees.

  2. Add a subject and an auxiliary verb to the modifier.

    Dangling:While eating, the telephone rang.
    Revised:While I was eating, the telephone rang.

  3. Add while before a subject and an auxiliary verb to the modifier.

    Dangling:Mowing the lawn, the lightning flashed.
    Revised:While he was mowing the lawn, the lightning flashed.

  4. Change the subject in the main clause.

    Dangling:Clapping our hands, Dr. Lo was welcomed.
    Revised:Clapping our hands, we welcomed Dr. Lo.

  5. Reword the modifier.

    Dangling:At the age of ten, his family moved here.
    Revised:When he was ten, his family moved here.

Exercise Rewrite these sentences so that they make sense.

  1. Built in 1980, he bought a house.
  2. While sleeping, a thief broke into their house.
  3. Crying in the crib, she found her baby.
  4. Chasing a cat, I watched my dog.
  5. Walking in the forest, a tall tree fell down.
  6. At eight months old, his mother took him to Europe.
  7. While taking a test, the lights went out.

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