ref –
- https://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/dangling_modifier.htm
- https://www.scribbr.com/sentence-structure/dangling-modifier/
Dangling Modifier
A modifier describes or qualifies another part of a sentence. A dangling modifier occurs when the intended subject of the modifier is missing from the sentence, and instead another subject appears in its place.
Fumbling in her purse, the keys could not be found.
Keys could not fumble purses!!
How to Fix – add subject and follow the modifier
In a correct sentence, the subject that is modified should immediately follow the comma after the modifier.
For example:
Having read the book, the book will be a hit.
the dangling modifier: Having read the book cannot modify:
* a book. A book can’t read.
Solution – Having read the book (who read the book? me)
Having read the book, I knew it will be a hit.
Other Examples
Having read your letter, my cat will stay indoors until the ducklings fly off. (X)
It’s pretty clear that the cat’s owner read the letter, but the owner is not mentioned.
Therefore, “Having read your letter” is a dangling modifier.
It doesn’t apply to anything in the sentence. Neither cats nor ducklings can read.
A correct version would be:
Having read your letter, we will keep our cat indoors until the ducklings fly off. √
(Here, “Having read your letter” correctly modifies “we.”)
Packing my kit into three huge holdalls, my little Jack Russell could tell a long trip was coming. (X)
“Packing my kit into three huge holdalls” is a dangling modifier. It doesn’t apply to the dog Jack Russell. I can only apply to a human owner.
A correct version would be:
Packing my kit into three huge holdalls, I knew my little Jack Russell could tell a long trip was coming. √
Packing my kit into three huge holdalls correctly modifies “I”.
Meticulous and punctual, David’s work ethic is admirable. X
Subject is “ethics” in “David’s work ethic.”.
Therefore, “Meticulous and punctual” is modifying the head noun “ethic.”
The sentence tells us that David’s work ethic is meticulous and punctual, which is illogical and impossible.
A correct version would be to add a noun that is modifiable (i.e David):
Meticulous and punctual, David has an admirable work ethic. √
(Here, the modifier “Meticulous and punctual” is modifying “David” as it should, not “David’s work ethic.”)
Having followed a strict diet, her weight dropped rapidly. X
Here, we’re saying her weight followed the strict diet. This is wrong.
Correction:
Having followed a strict diet, I can see my weight drop rapidly.
Having read your letter, my cat will stay indoors until the ducklings fly off. X
Here, we’re saying her cat read the letter.
Correction:
Having read your letter, I will keep my car indoors until the ducklings fly off.
How to Fix 2 – rephrase the modifier
Error: While driving to work, a car accident caused a traffic jam on the highway.
*A car cannot drive to work
Correct: While Jane was driving to work, a car accident caused a traffic jam on the highway.
Error: Requiring more data for the study, questionnaires were collected from an additional 200 people.
*Questionnaires cannot require. Only humans can do this.
Correct: Because we required more data for the study, questionnaires were collected from an additional 200 people.
Error: Taken down to the cellar, the darkness obscured the details of the room.
*The darkness cannot be taken down.
Correct: As he was taken down to the cellar, the darkness obscured the details of the room.
Sample Problems
Which sentence CONTAINS a dangling modifier?
A) Running quickly, the dog caught the ball.
“Running quickly” does modify “the dog”. It is the dog that is running quickly.
So it DOES NOT contain a dangling modifier.
B) After reading the book, the movie seemed disappointing.
Correction: After reading the book, [I thought] the movie seemed disappointing. √
C) Having finished the homework, the TV was turned on. √
Having finished the homework does not modify the TV. The TV cannot do homework.
Correction: Having finished the homework, I turned on the TV.
D) While walking to school, the birds were singing.
Those birds may in fact be walking to school. So this is OK.
Choose the sentence WITH a dangling modifier:
A) The book, lying on the table, was dusty.
Its clear, using non-essential appositive
B) Before going to bed, the lights were turned off. √
“Before going to bed” cannot modify the lights. Lights don’t sleep.
Correction:
Before going to bed, I turned the lights off.
C) After finishing the marathon, the medal was awarded. √
“After finishing the marathon” cannot modify the medal. The medal cannot run.
Correction:
After finishing the marathon, I was awarded the medal.
D) The car, parked in the driveway, was washed.
non-essential appositive states it clearly.
Which sentence is free of a dangling modifier?
DOES NOT have a dangling modifier?
A) After eating dinner, the dishes were washed. (X)
“After eating dinner” cannot modify the dishes. The dishes can’t eat.
B) Having studied hard, the exam was passed. (X)
“Having studied hard” cannot modify the exam. Exams can’t study.
C) While reading the book, the plot became clear. (X)
“While reading the book” cannot modify the plot. A plot can’t read.
D) Before starting the project, she gathered all the materials. √
“Before starting the project” modifies “she” correctly.
The girl gathered all the materials before starting the project.
Identify the dangling modifier in the sentence:
After taking a long nap, the homework was completed.
“After taking a long nap” cannot modify homework. A homework does not sleep.
Correction:
After taking a long nap, I completed the homework.
A) After taking a long nap √
B) The homework was completed
C) A long nap
D) None of the above
9. Choose the sentence WITH a dangling modifier:
A) While eating dinner, the phone rang. (√)
B) The cat, purring loudly, sat on the windowsill. (X)
C) To improve her grades, extra study sessions were attended. √
“To improve her grades” cannot modify “Extra study sessions”. Study sessions are not humans.
Correction:
To improve her grades, Sandy attended extra study sessions.
D) The boy, excited about his birthday, couldn’t sleep. (X)
Which sentence is correct without a dangling modifier?
A) After studying all night, the test was easy.
B) Walking through the park, the flowers were beautiful.
C) While cooking dinner, the doorbell rang.
D) After finishing the project, she took a break. √