Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

What is a modifier?

A non-essential word, phrase, or clause that changes the meaning of the sentence; can be an adjective or an adverb

Underline the modifiers in this example:

• The little boy standing by the concession stand reminds me of my brother.

• The little boy standing by the concession stand reminds me of my brother.

What is a misplaced modifier?

A modifier that is improperly separated from the word it modifies, leaving the sentence misleading or ridiculousFor example……My aunt works with an intern who has a nose ring named Gina.

What problem is caused by misplaced modifiers?

• Confusion!• Wait a minute…. She named her nose ring? Or

is the girl named Gina?

Where should you put modifiers in order to avoid misplaced modifiers?

Directly before or after the word they modify

Move this modifier…..

My aunt works with an intern who has a nose ring named Gina.Earlier in the sentence……

My aunt works with an intern named Ginawho has a nose ring.

Correct this misplaced modifier:

More beautiful than any human being, the explorer noticed the mermaid.

The explorer noticed the mermaid which was more beautiful than any human being

What is a dangling modifier?

A modifier that is meant to modify a word that is not actually in the sentenceFor example…..After searching for hours, the missing four year old was found.

How do you correct a dangling modifier?

Add the missing wordFor example

After searching for hours, the missing four year old was found by the neighborhood search party.Or even better

After searching for hours, the neighborhood search party found the missing four year old.

Correct this is a dangling modifier:

Using a variety of pedagogical techniques, the students were taught grammar.

Using a variety of pedagogical techniques, the teacher taught grammar to the students.

Correct this misplaced modifier:

The woman was feeding a cat in blue pumps.

The woman in blue pumps was feeding a cat.

Correct this misplaced modifier:

I chased the balloon running down the street.

Running down the street, I chased the balloon.

Correct this dangling modifier:

Having finished the main course, dessert was eaten.After the main course was finished, dessert was eaten.

Or even better:Having finished the main course, we next ate dessert.

Correct this dangling modifier:

Waiting for the bus, the sky turned threatening.

Waiting for the bus, we saw the sky turn threatening.Or…..While we were waiting for the bus, the sky turned threatening.