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WHAT IS A MODIFIER?
A modifier is a word or a group of words (phrase or clause) that describes, clarifies (adds

meaning to) another word or group of words (phrase or clause) in a sentence. Sometimes
writers use modifiers incorrectly, leading to strange and unintentionally humorous
sentences. The two common types of modifier errors are called misplaced modifiers and
dangling modifiers.

As a general rule, modifiers should come immediately after the word or groups of words
they modify. Modifiers can change the meaning of sentences depending on where it is
placed. For

example:

1. Only boys can dance in the presence of girls.

2. Boys can only dance in the presence of girls.

3. Boys can dance in the presence of girls only.

DANGLING MODIFIERS

A dangling modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that describes something that has been left
out of the sentence, usually the subject. The modifier is said to dangle when there is nothing
that the word, phrase, or clause can modify. Dangling modifiers are mostly introductory
phrases that do not go with the subjects of the sentences. These phrases are called dangling
modifiers because they have nothing to modify. Dangling modifiers do not logically seem to
modify any word in a sentence. A modifier that opens a sentence must be followed
immediately by the word it is meant to describe; otherwise, the modifier is said to be
dangling, and the sentence takes on unintended meaning or it becomes vague. A modifying
phrase or clause is said to dangle when it has no stated word to describe.

Sentences with dangling modifiers, can be corrected by rewriting the sentences and
providing the word (subject) that is to be modified.

1. Almost all dangling modifiers are found at the beginning of sentences.

2. Most dangling modifiers are phrases that have the –ing forms of verbs (gerunds) in them.

3. There is always a comma separating the introductory part of the sentence from the main

clause.
4. Tense and gender are very important while dealing with dangling modifiers. Tense or
gender in the introductory part of the sentence must agree with tense or gender in the
second part of the sentence.

EXCEPTIONS TO DANGLING MODIFIERS

1. Absolute constructions which have subjects on their own. For examples:

 That said, we can continue with the work.

 All said and done, let us close for the day.

 All things considered, UCC is the best university in Ghana.

2. Constructions that function as sentence adverbials.

 Speaking frankly, I am tired of this campus.

 Strictly speaking, UCC ladies are stingy.

3. Introductory present participial constructions.

 Owing to the high cost of living nowadays, most men have lost their girlfriends.

 According the lecturer, all students must write the quiz.

TYPES OF DANGLING MODIFIERS

1. Present participial non-finite clauses

 Visiting UCC for the first time, the campus was impressive.

2. Past participial non-finite clauses

 Encouraged by the excursion, working hard now seem to make sense to the students.

3. To-infinitive non-finite clauses

 To see in the dark, a flashlight was brought.

4. Verbless clauses

 While in college, my ambition was to become a doctor.

5. Prepositional phrases

 After graduating from the university, my life improved.

6. Adjectival phrases

 As a brilliant and courageous student, her portal is always flooded with good
grades.

CORRECTING DANGLING MODIFIERS

There are three ways of correcting the dangling modifiers in sentences.

A. By introducing the appropriate subject in the dangling clause/phrase in the first part of
the sentence.

B. By introducing a subject at the beginning of the second part of the sentence (immediately

after the first phrase/clause).

C. By changing the construction of the sentence, that is, moving the second part of the
sentence to the first part and the vice versa (without altering the meaning). Usually, the
sentence is changed from the active voice to the passive. Note that you must introduce the
subject in this case.

EXAMPLES

1.Walking across the bridge, my money dropped in the water.

A. While I was walking across the bridge, my money dropped in the water.

B. Walking across the bridge, I dropped my money in the water.

C. My money dropped in water while I was walking across the bridge.

2. On opening the door, his gaze at once fell on the corpse.

A. As Kofi was opening the door, his gaze fell at once on the corpse.

B. On opening the door, Kofi’s gaze at once fell on the corpse.

C. His gaze at once fell on the corpse as he was opening the door.

3. Using binoculars, the hawk was seen following its prey.

A. As the man was using binoculars, the hawk was seen following its prey.

B. Using binoculars, the man saw the hawk following its prey.

C. The hawk was seen following its prey as the man was using binoculars.
4. Watching television all night, my assignment was not done.

A. Because I watched television all night, my assignment was not done.

B. Watching television all night, I did not do my assignment.

C. My assignment was not done because I watched television all night.

5.After buying an electronic dictionary, my composition grades improved.

A. After I bought an electronic dictionary, my composition grades improved.

B. My composition grades improved after I bought an electronic dictionary.

6. While attending college, my papers were graded harshly by some of my instructors.

A. While I was attending college, my papers were graded harshly by some of the instructors.

B. My papers were graded harshly by some of the instructors while I was attending college.

7. To join the choir, a good voice is necessary.

A. For you/one/Akos to join the choir, a good voice is necessary.

B. A good voice is necessary for you/one/Akos to join the choir.

C. For Akos to join the choir, she needs a good voice.

8. In an emotional state of mind, the music brought tears to Ama’s eyes.

A. As Nana was in emotional state of mind, the music brought tears to her eyes.

B. In an emotional state of mind, Ama realized the music brought tears to her eyes.

9. Growing up in a small African town, her experiences were very different.

A. Because Adam grew up in a small African town, his experiences were different.

B. Growing up in a small African town, Adam’s experiences were very different.

10. While watching the movie, their car was stolen.

A. While they were watching the movie, their car was stolen

B. Watching the movie, they had their car stolen.

C. Their car was stolen while they were watching the movie.

11. Walking in the dark, my foot struck something soft and furry.

While I was walking in the dark, my foot struck something soft and furry.

12. To excel academically in UCC, learning must be thorough.

For one to excel academically in UCC, your learning must be thorough.

13. Running across the playground, my books fell in the mud.

While I was running across the playground, my books fell in the mud.

14. Having prepared the night before, the test was not difficult.

A. Having prepared the night before, she realized the test was not difficult.

B. Since Mariam prepared the night before, she found the test easy.

15. To see in the dark, a flashlight was brought along.

A. For him to see in the dark, he brought along a flashlight.

B. For one to see in the dark, one needs flashlight.

16. Fearing exposure and arrest, the luggage was thrown into the bush nearby.

A. As the thief feared exposure and arrest, she threw the luggage into the bush nearby.

B. Fearing exposure and arrest, the thief threw the luggage into the bush nearby.

C. The luggage was thrown into the nearby bush by the thief as feared exposure and arrest.

17. Crossing the field, an Indian arrow-head was discovered.

A. As he was crossing the field, he discovered an Indian arrow-head.

B. Crossing the field, John discovered an Indian arrow-head.

C. An Indian arrow-head was discovered by John while he was crossing the field.

18. To pass CS, studying must be thorough.

A. For you to pass CS, you must study thoroughly.

B. To pass CS, Kwame must study thoroughly.

19. Visiting NY for the first time, the skyscrapers were really impressive.

A. Since Kelvin was visiting NY for the first time, he found the skyscrapers really impressive.

B. Visiting NY for the first, Kwame found the skyscrapers really impressive.

C. Kwame found the skyscrapers really impressive as Kelvin was visiting NY for the first time.

20. While still in high school, his ambition was to be a physician.

A. While he was still in high school, his ambition was to be a physician.

B. While still in high school, Faith’s ambition was to be a physician.

EXERCISE

The following sentences contain dangling modifiers. You will have to supply a subject and

rewrite the sentence so that the modifying phrase is in the correct location to describe its
subject.

1. While sweeping the floor, the stew boiled over on the stove.

2. To write correctly, proper English should be used.

3. After putting a new ribbon in the printer, my papers looked better.

4. While washing his brother’s car, a scratch was discovered on the bumper.

5. Thinking of something else, the instructor's voice surprised me.

6. While writing my paper, the telephone rang.

7. To understand our new policy, the LAC’s brochures were read.

8. Being short of money, an inexpensive restaurant had to be found.

9. On coming back to school after vacation, a new work schedule was developed.

10. Sitting in the class for the first time, my expectations were not met