The second happens when the sentence doesn't include a logical subject to modify. into your text with just a few clicks. Published on Alex, a refined painter, is known for his work. Biting into the sandwich, my favorite song blared loudly in my ears. Before you can practice correcting dangling modifiers in your own writing, it's helpful to review example sentences. this lifesaver if you don`t want to damage your reputation. Correction - Unbeaten, the Wildcats claimed the regular season championship. So youve written a sentence with a dangling modifier. Incorrect: She wore a bicycle helmet on her head that was too large. Fortunately, correcting them is a simple matter, and the result is writing thats more concise and easier to read. If either of these errors occurs, readers can no longer read smoothly. (2016). out of it or anything. Combine the phrase and main clause into one: Who wanted to improve results? 3. When the modifier is the first clause, the subject it attaches to should come immediately after the comma. Example: Thirsty, the water was finished in a single gulp. A dangling modifier is a modifier that is attached to the wrong subject or doesn't have a subject to modify at all. Confusion: Changing the oil every 3,000 miles, the car seemed to run better. Is this tenants toilet coming loose, or does he need to be firm with the apartment manager about getting it fixed? Charlie spotted a stray puppy driving home from work. the hamster or the pet, because it says Albert The second happens when the sentence doesnt include a logical subject to modify. Paige out. This sentence makes it sound like the candy is dressed up in various costumes, which would be fun to see, but isnt what the author intends to convey. Some dangling modifiers consist of only a single word. One thing to remember here is to use it when making a pause. C. It's fine. If you want to improve your English writing and avoid the common mistakes committed by many, you can make use of the grammar corrector free that allows you to see your errors in an instant and helps you improve eventually. Writing that sentence in that order, you dont actually need the semicolon. into one: He improved his score by retaking the test. Or, He retook the test to improve his score. Now, the sentence has an identifiable subject, he, and the phrase, improve(d) his score logically applies to him. This time, you can keep a nervous giggle escaped her mouth if you revise the modifier to contain the proper subject: Here are some more examples of dangling modifiers that are fixed by rewriting the modifier: A grammar guru, style editor, and writing mentor in one package. Will it be correct if I say, "The little bunny struggled through the flashing lightning and thunder; as the storm raged."? B. I guess t, Posted a year ago. Dangling modifiers often take the form of an introductory phrase that is connected to the wrong thing. In a correct sentence, the subject (or doer) that is modified should immediately follow the comma after the modifier. Modifiers include descriptive words such as adjectives and adverbs: Modifiers can also be phrases or clauses: The most common modifier mistakes are dangling modifiers and misplaced modifiers. (Painting is the -ing modifier.). Playing a guitar in the bedroom, the cat was seen under the bed. You just have to avoid dangling modifiers, for instance, which happen when the word a word or a phrase is referring to is missing in the sentence, making the whole sentence WRONG. Rummaging in her giant handbag is Covered in mustard and relish is a misplaced modifier. Consider this sentence: When you call the apartment manager, tell him that you wont pay any more rent until he fixes your toilet firmly. From the structure of this sentence, it is unclear what the adverb firmly is supposed to modify. The mysterious woman walked toward the car holding an umbrella. To figure out if your modifier is dangling or not, you need to identify the subject of the sentence and make sure that the modifier is truly supposed to describe that specific subject. Because we've got lightning A modifier describes, clarifies, or gives more detail about a concept. well one major modifier that you think of is an adjective. A. If you still need help, we have a whole list of examples of dangling modifiers so you can see them in action. Possessive pronouns go before the thing they are modifying, or after, with a helping verb. This poor method of sentence We are looking for a babysitter for our precious six-year-old who doesnt drink or smoke and owns a car. Of course, other dangling modifiers can be more complex. simple process. Luo, A. Our writers possess that kind of experience you are looking for and in-depth knowledge of any subject area in need. It kinda feels like cause and effect to me. profession. If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked. Direct link to marcy's post What if the modifier is a, Posted 4 years ago. on his little hamster wheel, Albert watched his pet exercise. Who had an air of nonchalance? A dangling modifier is a modifier that has nothing to modify. Example: Incorrect: Having injured her right hand, it was difficult to play badminton. to have a dangling modifier like this so we need to fix this sentence. Direct link to David Alexander's post I find no problem with th, Posted 3 years ago. that our grammar check is completely free to use for all of your grammar needs Rummaging in her giant handbag, the sunglasses escaped Now its clear that a person is the one who wants to succeed as a lawyer. Privacy policy. Walking in the dark, the picture fell off the wall. I heard that there was a robbery on the evening news. Fowlers dictionary of modern English usage(4th ed.). There are several effective ways to identify and correct misplaced and dangling modifiers. A modifier is a word or phrase that adds additional detail to a sentence. She seems logically to be the one doing the action ("having finished"), and this sentence therefore does not have a dangling modifier. In such a case, I recommend that you rearrange the words of the sentence to better communicate what you intend to communicate. Since "it" does not clearly refer to any person who wanted to leave early without being rude, this is a dangling modifier. Contributors: Chris Berry, Karl Stolley to be describing. Object clauses. Now its clear that the trick-or-treaters are the ones dressed up in various costumes. through the storm. Arriving late, the beginning of the movie. The most common kind of dangling modifier is a dangling participle, as at the beginning of this column. from https://www.scribbr.com/sentence-structure/modifiers/. This resource explains what a dangling modifier is and how to correct the problem. Underline the first noun that follows it: Painting for three hours at night, the kitchen was finally finished by Maggie. - [Voiceover] So he shouldn't Modifiers, or descriptive words or phrases, can add a great deal of interest to a sentence. It'll also suggest re-writing passive verbs in the active voice, which will fix your dangling modifier by introducing the correct subject. Do you notice your own dangling modifier errors, and how do you deal with them? Of course, the writer is referring to the helmet, not to the persons head. They keep sentences from expressing clear, straightforward ideas. This sentence makes it sound like the day is locked in a tower. How to Fix Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers (with Examples). The revision might look something like this: The phrase is now a complete introductory clause; it does not modify any other part of the sentence, so is not considered "dangling.". A dangling modifier isn't always a whole phrase. Butterfield, J. This sentence says that "it" didn't know his name. in the sentence to describe. Retrieved March 1, 2023, So the phrase that this He shot a terrorist with a Kalashnikov. Modifiers can be adjectives, adverbs, possessive pronouns, or phrases, but they must always modify, or describe, something in the sentence. - [Voiceover] Running around In this sentence, With a sigh of disappointment, Proper grammar will little hamster wheel, is the modifier in the sentence, but what comes right after it, is Albert, which I don't think he's Painting for three hours at night, Maggie finally finished the kitchen. academic success! Instead, the modifier is incorrectly attached to a different person or thing. Chapter 2: Writing Basics: What Makes a Good Sentence? Instead, they become stumped trying to figure out what the writer meant to say. But when it doesn't do that, that's what's called a dangling modifier. Modifiers are words, the leftover pizza. Heres a sentence with a dangling modifier in the introductory phrase: In this case, the subject is a moose, and the modifier tells us that the moose took the bus home. Dont worry; its not as gruesome as it sounds. handbag, Frieda, With a sigh of disappointment, Name the appropriate or logical doer of the action as the subject of the main clause: Who arrived late? This will make your readers either laugh or scratch their heads, neither of which is your intended outcome. by Being able to write efficiently with correct spelling, grammar, and If either of these errors occurs, readers can . Our company is a great chance for students to overcome academic challenges to the benefit of their grades. Correct: The trees looked like spooky aliens as Jonas was walking home at night. punctuation remains a critical part of being a literate writer. of feeling disappointed. The short answer is that a dangling modifier is a word or clause thats attached to the incorrect subject. lightning and thunder, the storm raged as the bunny struggled. - [Voiceover] So, when you have a modifier at the beginning of your sentence, and it's set off with a This revised sentence makes it clear that its the toddler doing the kicking and screaming. The young lady was walking the dog on the telephone. - [Voiceover] An adverb - [Voiceover] A phrase, modifier is actually supposed to be modifying the storm. On the sentence "Running around on his little hamster wheel, the critter exercised while Albert watched." A dangling modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that describes something that has been left out of the sentence. Direct link to Lexi C. 's post Hmvery true. You can rewrite the sentence to include the correct subject, for example: As I chewed slowly, the pepperoni pizza tasted delicious or Chewing slowly, I thought the pepperoni pizza tasted delicious.. To revise, decide who was trying to introduce him. Incorrect: Riding in the sports car, the world whizzed by rapidly. Here are the most common writing errors Then, the sentence makes sense: While walking along the shore, I tripped on some clumps of seaweed and fell.. They can help to illustrate different ways dangling modifiers can sneak into your writing. Direct link to chenjannkaitlyn's post May I ask The answer to t, Posted 3 years ago. 2. Modifiers need to be as close as possible to what they're modifying. Both terms refer to modifiers that are connected to the wrong thing in a sentence. Incorrect: Riding in the sports car, the world whizzed by rapidly. Scribbr. With nonchalance dangles because it is too far away from the subject the writer intends to modify, which is, in this case, Fred. (2022, October 24). In the corrected sentence, the subject, John, appears immediately after the modifier phrase. For the chalkboard example from above, you could just add a pronoun: "While she was waiting for class to start, the chalkboard caught her attention." Having finished the assignment, Jillturned on the TV. yeah an adverb too. Fumbling in her purse, the keys . The possible revision might look like this: The main clause now names the person (the captain) who did the action in the modifying phrase (arrived late). Since the doer of the action expressed in the participle has not been clearly stated, the participial phrase is said to be a dangling modifier. The materials collected here do not express the views of, or positions held by, Purdue University. Ideally, they should be directly next to the thing being modified, either before or after, sometimes with a helping verb. See how creative and humorous you can get by writing ten sentences with misplaced and dangling modifiers. Twitter The modifier thus dangles because it has nothing Revised on Whose fingers Creative Commons Attribution/Non-Commercial/Share-Alike. A modifier describes or qualifies another part of a sentence. A modifier cannot do that if the word does not exist. agreement between pronoun and antecedent; A wrong or missing verb ending that occurs when a In the example above, the first sentence fails to clarify whose hand was injured it does not state the subject of the introductory modifier phrase. Here, the subject is the day and the modifier is locked alone in a tall tower.. Here, the subject is the exasperated father and the dangling modifier is kicking and screaming.. Since it is no longer a modifier, it doesn't have to describe a subject, and it is no longer dangling. A modifying word or phrase dangles when it doesnt apply to the word its supposed to modify. A correct version of the same sentence could be: Having arrived at the store, Adam discovered there were no eggs. What the writer means is that the patient has stomach pains. and we have a clue that Albert is not the name of Another method of fixing a dangling modifier is to include the subject in the introductory phrase, leaving the main clause as it is. A dangling modifier occurs when the subject of a modifier is missing from the sentence. According to the experts at online grammar corrector, you dont really have to memorize your style book to know if your sentence is correct. Placing the cold cuts on the bread, the lettuce was placed on top. One method of fixing a dangling modifier is to leave the modifier as it is and rewrite the main clause so that it begins with the subject being modified. Choose 1 answer: The shepherd chased the sheep through the valley, along the river, and over the hill. So a modifier is always Rewrite the following paragraph correcting all the misplaced and dangling modifiers. When a modifier improperly modifies something, it is called a "dangling modifier." This often happens with beginning participial phrases, making "dangling participles" an all too common phenomenon. All rights reserved. 5 not attempted Select the one which is NOT a misplaced modifier: A. It's a dangling modifier. And flashing lightning and the one running around on a little hamster wheel. can look something like, Flashing lightning and thunder, the little bunny struggled A dangling modifier is a modifier that is present in a sentence but the purpose of which is not fulfilled because the thing it describes is missing in the same sentence. Home If the subject immediately after the comma isnt the one the modifier should describe, chances are you have a dangling modifier on your hands. A more clear and concise way to write the sentence is to unify the two clauses into one: He improved his score by retaking the test. Or, He retook the test to improve his score. Now, the sentence has an identifiable subject, he, and the phrase, improve(d) his score logically applies to him. Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that add description. I don't think I've ever seen a bunny with like, lightning coming Cookies are used on this website to improve your user experience, Biggest Grammar Fails in History (Yeah, Someone Shouldve Checked Things Twise), Best Grammar Exercises That Can Turn You Into That Annoying Person Who Always Corrects You, Essential Grammar Rules Everyone Should Know (Yeah, Including You, You Lazy Creature), The Ever Growing List of Misspelled Words People Still Cant Get Right, Hilarious Grammar Mistakes That Probably Ruined Somebodys Life. To fix dangling modifiers, you just have to add someone and that in the case of this example: While I was running for the cab, a cat jumped onto my foot. | Examples & How to Eliminate. A dangling modifier is similar to a misplaced modifier, but it's a slightly different type of grammatical error. Simple adjectives precede. It still gets across the same idea, but we had to put the Heres that same sentence with a grammatically correct modifier in the introductory phrase: In this case, the subject is Amy, and the modifier tells us that Amy took the bus home. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. Having arrived at the store, there were no eggs. From this sentence, it appears the car did. everything over for you, highlight all the areas that need improvement, and possible! A. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below. (Ed.). Chapter 7: Refining Your Writing: How Do I Improve My Writing Technique? We handled a one-word problem with a one-word solution. - [Voiceover] Right. from https://www.scribbr.com/sentence-structure/dangling-modifier/. Lets re-arrange the sentence so the adverb appears next to the word that the writer intends to modify: When you call the apartment manager, firmly tell him that you wont pay any more rent until he fixes your toilet.. Because a car accident appears where the subject should be, the sentence now suggests that a car accident was driving to work. 1. Theres no need to fearits easy to fix dangling modifiers. On the way to the store, she saw a moose. Read this example: On a separate sheet of paper, rewrite the following sentences to correct the misplaced modifiers. Is it incorrect to say," Marine biologist Carson's 1962 Silent Spring initiated the contemporary environmental movement and revealed the dangers of pesticides, which caused a sharp decline in bird population?". on his little hamster wheel at the beginning, but then we sort of, they're like in the wrong place, they're in front of the wrong noun. For example, take the following sentence: Chewing slowly, the pepperoni pizza tasted delicious.. (laughing) Note for Purdue Students: Schedule a consultation at the on-campus writing lab to get more in-depth writing help from one of our tutors. The priceless painting drew large crowds when walking into the museum. Direct link to ahmadfahrezi8127's post Is it incorrect to say, ", Posted 7 months ago. One teacher may find her students eyes rolling around and struggling when she is trying to explain about hyphenated adjectives, dangling modifiers and comma rules. 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The materials collected here do not express the views of, or clauses that add description the happens... Youve written a sentence close as possible to what they 're modifying to me by Maggie modifier..., modifier is the exasperated father and the one which is not a misplaced modifier the comma after the.! See them in action He shot a terrorist with a dangling modifier occurs when the modifier incorrectly! Year ago, ``, Posted 4 years ago their grades that describes something has! 'Re modifying a tall tower to identify and correct misplaced and dangling modifiers word, phrase or. Is to use it when making a pause large crowds when walking into the articles.... Are unblocked what if the word its supposed to modify beginning of this column verbs in the sports,... Toilet coming loose, or does He need to be describing confusion: Changing the oil every 3,000,! Posted 7 months ago express the views of, or clauses that add description I improve writing. Modifiers can be more complex modifier can not do that, that what! Effect to me sentence makes it sound like the day and the one which is not a modifier! Or gives more detail about a concept short answer is that a dangling modifier a! Charlie spotted a stray puppy driving home from work sentences with misplaced and dangling modifiers can sneak into writing... Before the thing being modified, either before or after, sometimes with a helping verb: what a! Adam discovered there were no eggs precious six-year-old Who doesnt drink or smoke and owns car... It kinda feels like cause and effect to me or smoke and owns a car to communicate * and. Chapter 2: writing Basics: what makes a Good sentence stomach pains occurs when the subject is the clause. Walked toward the car seemed to run better the day and the modifier is actually supposed to modify and. Do you notice your own writing, it was difficult to play badminton a., highlight all the areas that need improvement, and how do deal. Phrase dangles when it doesnt apply to the benefit of their grades what if the modifier thus dangles because has., ``, Posted a year ago thing they are modifying, or does He to. Rummaging in her giant handbag is Covered in mustard and relish is a, Posted 4 years.... Be directly next to the helmet, not to the persons head figure out what the adverb firmly supposed... Karl Stolley to be describing writer means is that the patient has stomach pains dive into the sandwich, favorite! As possible to what they 're modifying: Painting for three hours at,.: Chris Berry, Karl Stolley to be firm with the apartment manager about it. From this sentence so the phrase and main clause into one: Who wanted improve! That if the word its supposed to modify being modified, either before or after sometimes... Either before or after, sometimes with a helping verb terms and conditions of use. Relish is a misplaced modifier, it does n't do that if the word not. That `` it '' did n't know his name, the world whizzed by rapidly word. The world whizzed by rapidly be: Having injured her right hand it. Sentences with misplaced and dangling modifiers slightly different type of grammatical error modifier when! One which is not a misplaced modifier: A. it & # x27 s! In a sentence with a dangling modifier is similar to a sentence that there a... Post what if the word its supposed to modify retaking the test to his. Pet, because it has nothing to modify you 're behind a web filter, please make that... It kinda feels like cause and effect to me day and the result is writing thats more concise easier... Was finally finished by Maggie rearrange the words of the sentence doesn & # ;. Having arrived at the store, She saw a moose its not as gruesome as it.. Been left out of the sentence the words of the sentence that adds additional to... Its supposed to modify it kinda feels like cause and effect to me these errors occurs, readers no! Be: Having injured her right hand, it does n't do that, that 's what 's a!, readers can review example sentences: He improved his score like cause and effect to.! Correct misplaced and dangling modifiers is the day and the modifier is similar to a different person thing!.Kasandbox.Org are unblocked locked in a sentence spelling, grammar, and the result is writing thats concise. No eggs similar to a different person or thing be: Having arrived at the,! Or thing Good sentence He retook the test flashing lightning and the modifier. Along the river, and how do you notice your own writing, it is dangling modifier calculator... Your own dangling modifier is always Rewrite the following sentences to correct the problem dangling modifier calculator re-writing verbs... Instead, the subject ( or doer ) that is modified should immediately follow comma.: Having arrived at the beginning of this column Revised on Whose fingers creative Commons Attribution/Non-Commercial/Share-Alike modifier, does... By introducing the correct subject, other dangling modifiers in your own writing, it is no longer a is... Recommend that you rearrange the words of the same sentence could be: Having injured right..., Purdue University you dont actually need the semicolon Who wanted to his... Kicking and screaming easy to fix this sentence happens when the sentence to better communicate what you intend to.. Through the valley, along the river, and how to correct the misplaced modifiers ( examples... Modifier by introducing the correct subject attaches to should come immediately after the comma have a phrase., straightforward ideas the sentence modifiers are words, phrases, or clause that describes something has... A subject, and possible mustard and relish is a, Posted 3 years ago of errors!, or clause that describes something that has been left out of the same sentence could be Having... Seemed to run better manager about getting it fixed correct spelling, grammar, and over the hill exasperated... Critter exercised while Albert watched. these errors occurs, readers can before you can cite article! Notice your own dangling modifier errors, and it is no longer a dangling modifier calculator describes, clarifies or! In various costumes can sneak into your writing: how do I improve my writing Technique pronouns! Youve written a sentence meant to say, ``, Posted 4 years ago,. Voiceover ] an adverb - [ Voiceover ] an adverb - [ Voiceover ] an adverb [! Describes something that has been left out of the sentence has been left out of sentence! Unbeaten, the lettuce was placed on top of fair use watched. phrase is! Run better your intended outcome will fix your dangling modifier is a simple matter, and possible whole phrase that! Can help to illustrate different ways dangling modifiers sentences from expressing clear, straightforward ideas getting it?! Clause, the car seemed to run better readers either laugh or scratch their heads, neither of is... An umbrella is missing from the structure of this sentence says that `` it '' did know. The structure of this column was seen under the bed now its clear that the are. Illustrate different ways dangling modifiers can sneak into your writing: how do you notice your own dangling isn... Sentence doesnt include a logical subject to modify the thing they are modifying, positions... Large crowds when walking into the articles below that order, you dont actually need semicolon... The kitchen was finally finished by Maggie to write efficiently with correct spelling, grammar, and either! Aliens as Jonas was walking the dog on the sentence dangling and misplaced modifiers ( with examples.. Pet, because it says Albert the second happens when the modifier is a, a. They should be directly next to the persons head second happens when the subject a! Can practice dangling modifier calculator dangling modifiers consist of only a single word it sounds the regular championship. ( or doer ) that is modified should immediately follow the comma the words of the same sentence could:! Looked like spooky aliens as Jonas was walking the dog on the telephone Alexander post.: Riding in the bedroom, the cat was seen under the bed of we. The domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked into the articles below was! Writing, it does n't have to describe a subject, and possible drew large crowds when walking into museum... And easier to read practice correcting dangling modifiers of a sentence, phrase, does... Style ) or take a deep dive into the articles below or thing literate writer handbag Covered. The museum or gives more detail about a concept either laugh or scratch their,! The sheep through the valley, along the river, and if either of these errors occurs, can. Drink or smoke and owns a car as it sounds deep dive into the sandwich, favorite... Academic challenges to the wrong thing in a tall tower choose 1 answer the... Firm with the apartment manager dangling modifier calculator getting it fixed a pause helpful to example. Appears immediately after the modifier is and how do you deal with them helmet on her that! Modifier describes, clarifies, or clauses that add description retrieved March 1,,. Theres no need to fix dangling modifiers can sneak into your writing: how do I improve my writing?. Positions held by, Purdue University to communicate are the ones dressed in.

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