Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

We often use adjectives and adverbs in sentences in order to be more descriptive, but sometimes we also use phrases called “modifiers” in order to describe things in a more interesting way. Sometimes, these modifiers can get confusing because of the structure of the sentence.

 

Misplaced Modifiers

A misplaced modifier is a modifier that describes the wrong part of a sentence because of its placement. These can get confusing, or sometimes even comical. See the example below.

Example Because he is dead, Fortinbras gets to take over Hamlet’s kingdom.

As it is placed now, “Because he is dead” describes Fortinbras, but a dead person cannot take over a kingdom. Something has been misplaced. You can rewrite this sentence as follows to make it clearer:

Corrected Example Because he is dead, Hamlet must pass his kingdom to Fortinbras.

Now it is clear that Hamlet is dead and that Fortinbras will be taking control of the kingdom.

 

Exercises

In the following exercises, circle the misplaced modifier. If the modifier is placed correctly, circle the number next to the sentence.

1. With blaring sirens, my dad and I watched the police cars pass.

2. Because it was overdrawn, the teller said I could not get money from my account.

3. My father keeps a gun in his closet that is loaded.

4. My mother said we should have gone to Disney World in California.

5. The nobles disapprove of fighting in the streets of Verona, who have authority.

6. When they learned to speak, the teachers could tell what their students wanted.

7. Tony asked me to reshelf the books at noon.

8. Suffering from rabies, the vet had to put down my dog.

 

Answers

1. With blaring sirens
2. Because it was overdrawn
3. that is loaded
4. in California
5. who have authority
6. When they learned to speak
7. at noon
8. Suffering from rabies

 

Dangling Modifiers

Sometimes, a modifier does not refer to anything in a sentence. This kind of error is a dangling modifier. To fix it, you need to add something into the sentence, or you can remove the modifier entirely. Look at the example below:

Example To solve the issue of inheritance, the kingdom went to King Lear’s three daughters.

As it is now, “To solve the issue of inheritance” describes something the kingdom did, but a kingdom cannot solve an issue—a king can. You would need to rewrite this sentence as follows:

Corrected Example To solve the issue of inheritance, King Lear divided his kingdom between his daughters.

Now, your reader can clearly understand who is solving the issue of inheritance.

 

Special Problem—Imperative

Sentences in the imperative do not contain a subject. The subject is understood to be “you.” When you are writing an imperative sentence with a modifier, make sure the modifier is an action someone can perform. See the example below:

Example To access your inbox, the internet connection must not be interrupted.

The internet connection is not accessing your inbox—you are. You need to rewrite this sentence so the modifier refers to the subject (you), like this:

Corrected Example To access your inbox, make sure you have uninterrupted internet access.

Now, your reader clearly understands who is accessing the inbox and who needs to perform the action of the sentence.

 

Exercises

For each sentence below, circle the dangling modifier. If there is no dangling modifier, circle the number next to that sentence.

1. Driving too fast, the traffic got in the way.

2. Growing in a petri dish, the biologists used a microscope to make their observations.

3. Large and well spaced, she writes much better than I do.

4. Red, crisp, and delicious, I left the produce section.

5. Filled with sexist language, the memo reminded the office workers to be respectful.

6. To avoid an error message, enter your name and password correctly.

7. When its battery ran out, he could not work on his paper anymore.

8. Because they were in her inbox, the administrator was busy.

 

Answers

1. Driving too fast
2. Growing in a petri dish
3. Large and well spaced
4. Red, crisp, and delicious
5. Filled with sexist language
6. (Correct as written)
7. When its battery ran out
8. Because they were in her inbox

 

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