Dangling Modifiers A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that is not clearly and logically related to the word or words it modifies. In most cases, the modifier appears at the beginning of the sentence, although it can also come at the end. Sometimes the error occurs because the sentence fails to specify anything to which the modifier can logically refer. At other times, the modifier is positioned next to the wrong noun or noun substitute. Examples of Dangling Modifiers the horizon, a funnel-shaped cloud was stirring up the “Looking toward dust.” This sentence is faulty because it does not specify anything to which toward the “looking can logically refer. The phrase is trying to modify the a cloud horizon” subject “cloud,” but cannot look toward the horizon- a person can, but not a cloud. Thus, the sentence will have to be rewritten to state who is looking toward the horizon. toward the horizon, a funnel-shaped cloud was stirring up the “As I looked dust.” Now the sentence is correct because we know who is looking to the horizon – “I” am. Faulty Sentence: toward the movies, a A “Walking cloudburst drenched me.” – cloudburst cannot walk. Corrected Version: was walking toward the movies, a cloudburst “As I drenched me.” (More on Back)
Dangling Modifiers A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that is not clearly and logically related to the word or words it modifies. In most cases, the modifier appears at the beginning of the sentence, although it can also come at the end. Sometimes the error occurs because the sentence fails to specify anything to which the modifier can logically refer. At other times, the modifier is positioned next to the wrong noun or noun substitute. Examples of Dangling Modifiers “Looking toward the horizon, a funnel-shaped cloud was stirring up the dust.” This sentence is faulty because it does not specify anything to which “looking toward the horizon” can logically refer. The phrase is trying to modify the subject “cloud,” but a cloud cannot look toward the horizon- a person can, but not a cloud. Thus, the sentence will have to be rewritten to state who is looking toward the horizon. “As I looked toward the horizon, a funnel-shaped cloud was stirring up the dust.” Now the sentence is correct because we know who is looking to the horizon – “I” am. Faulty Sentence: “Walking toward the movies, a cloudburst drenched me.” – A cloudburst cannot walk. Corrected Version: “As I was walking toward the movies, a cloudburst drenched me.” (More on Back)
WC%20Dangling%20Modifiers.docx