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Dangling Modifier

1) A dangling modifier is a word, phrase, or clause used to modify a word that is not clearly stated in the sentence. 2) Dangling modifiers confuse readers because the intended target of the modifier is missing. 3) To fix a dangling modifier, the writer often needs to add a new element to the sentence to provide a target for the modifier to describe.

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Mirşahin İbrahimov
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60 views2 pages

Dangling Modifier

1) A dangling modifier is a word, phrase, or clause used to modify a word that is not clearly stated in the sentence. 2) Dangling modifiers confuse readers because the intended target of the modifier is missing. 3) To fix a dangling modifier, the writer often needs to add a new element to the sentence to provide a target for the modifier to describe.

Uploaded by

Mirşahin İbrahimov
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Dangling Modifier

Recognize a dangling modifier when you see one.

Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that add description. In clear, logical
sentences, you will often find modifiers right next to—either in front of or behind—the
target words they logically describe. Read this example:

Horrified, Mom snatched the deviled eggs from Jack, whose


fingers were covered in cat hair .

Notice that horrified precedes Mom, its target, just as deviled sits right before eggs.
Whose fingers were covered in cat hair follows Jack, its target.

Sometimes, however, an inexperienced writer will include a modifier but forget the
target. The modifier thus dangles because the missing target leaves nothing for the
modifier to describe.

Dangling modifiers are errors. Their poor construction confuses readers. Look at the
samples below:

Hungry, the leftover pizza was devoured .

Hungry is a single-word adjective. Notice that there is no one in the sentence for
this modifier to describe.

Rummaging in her giant handbag, the sunglasses escaped


detection.

Rummaging in her giant handbag is a participle phrase. In the current


sentence, no word exists for this phrase to modify. Neither sunglasses nor
detection has fingers to make rummaging possible!

With a sigh of disappoint ment, the expensive dress was returned


to the rack.

With a sigh of disappointment is a string of prepositional phrases. If you look


carefully, you do not find anyone in the sentence capable of feeling disappointed.
Neither dress nor rack has emotions!

Know how to fix a dangling modifier.

Fixing a dangling modifier will require more than rearranging the words in the sentence.
You will often need to add something new so that the modifier finally has a target word to
describe:

Hungry, we devoured the left over pizza.


Rummaging in her giant handbag, Frieda failed to find her
sunglasses.

With a sigh of disappointment, Charlene returned the expensive


dress to the rack.

©1997 - 2014 by Robin L. Simmons


All Rights Reserved.

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