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English 202 | Pellauer
Grammar
Grammar: Correcting Misplaced Modifiers
Definition of a Dangling Modifier: a modifying phrase or clause that does not
clearly and sensibly modify a word in a sentence
The Rule: When a modifying phrase containing a verbal (i.e., participial) comes at
the beginning of a sentence, the phrase is followed by a comma. Immediately
after that comma should come the word that the phrase modifies.
(Source: English Composition and Grammar, 3rd course, p. 549)
Examples:
1. Strolling through the park, I saw a brown rabbit in the underbrush.
[I was strolling.]
2. Posted on the bulletin board, the flier announced the date of the campaign.
[The flier was posted.]
Errors:
1. Strolling through the park, a rabbit peered out at me from the underbrush.
[The rabbit was strolling?]
2. Posted on the bulletin board, Dotty saw a flier announcing the date of the
campaign. [Dotty was posted on the bulletin board?]
Correcting the Errors:
Choice #1: Rearrange the words in the sentence
Choice #2: Add words to make the meaning logical and clear
Exercise #1: Write Sentences with Introductory Modifiers
Directions: Follow each modifier by a word it can clearly and sensibly modify.
1. Hiding behind the couch, ___________________________________________.
2. Feared and hunted, _______________________________________________.
Exercise #2: Revise Sentences by Eliminating Dangling Modifiers
Directions: Use one of the strategies under “Correcting the Errors.”
1. Walking through the main gate, the swimming pool lies to your right.
2. To earn spending money, Mother gave me a job addressing envelopes.
3. While walking in the woods, the sound of singing birds is an enjoyable experience.
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How to Avoid a Misplaced Modifier: Place modifying phrases and clauses as near
as possibly to the words they modify.
Examples from The New York Times “After Deadline” Blog (9/20/11)
Known for its aggressive litigiousness and scorched-earth public relations
approach, the church’s latest target is The New Yorker, which in February published
a 25,000-word article that painted Scientology as corrupt and cultish.
Here’s a classic example of a dangling participle that could actually confuse a reader.
We meant to say that the Church of Scientology — not “the church’s latest target” — is
known for its litigiousness.
[Caption] BOOM: Once a cold-weather destination, tourists are flocking to Miami
Beach in summer, too. Left, the pool at the Standard in Miami Beach.
The appositive phrase refers to Miami Beach, but we’ve connected it to “tourists.”
Always drawn to the sciences, Mr. Kaido’s interest in progressive politics grew in
1970, after he entered the law department at the University of Tokyo, a steppingstone
for the country’s elite.
This is probably the most common dangler situation. The person described by the
modifying phrase, Mr. Kaido, does come immediately after the phrase — but as a
possessive modifier, not as a noun. Strictly speaking, in this formulation the introductory
phrase is modifying “interest,” which is not what we intended.
Examples from The New York Times “After Deadline” Blog (7/12/11)
Shortly after the show, he disappeared with Hilaria Thomas, his sparkling date, a black
ponytail elastic still wrapped around his left ring finger. Like the wild raccoon that
dawdled onto the stage during the excellent performance that night, we thought it
advisable to let him wander off into the dark of Central Park.
It is not “we” being compared to the raccoon, but “him” (in this case, Alec Baldwin).
By suspending the payments, the money could be used to pay other bills.
The noun being referred to should come immediately after the modifying phrase. In this
case, we could say, “By suspending the payments, the post office could use the money
to pay other bills.”
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By changing their color from black to white, it can seem as if more police cars are
on the streets.
Same problem. The modifying phrase dangles, with nothing to modify. Rephrase.
Some fear that Mr. Abbas’s move will raise expectations among his people, with nothing
changing for them on the ground. Combined with alarmed reactions from Israeli
settlers, violent showdowns could erupt.
A dangler. The “combined” phrase does not describe “violent showdowns.”
Now Bulgaria’s battle with organized crime is being seen as a test of whether, even
after meeting the bloc’s entry requirements, Western standards of law and order can
truly be reached, not only here, but in neighboring Romania and perhaps in other states,
like Serbia, which has applied for admission.
A dangler. The participle “meeting” refers to Bulgaria, so that noun should come right
after the modifying phrase. Beyond that, the sentence is awfully convoluted and could
have used recasting.
Exercise #3: Revise Sentences by Placing Modifiers Near the Words They Modify
Directions: Revise the following sentences so that they make sense.
1. Grazing peacefully, we saw a herd of buffalo in the distance.
2. We gave the boxes of cereal to the children with prizes inside.
3. At five years of age, my grandfather taught me to make tortillas.
4. One advertiser handed out roses to customers with dollar bills pinned to them.
5. I borrowed a radio from my sister with a weather band.
6. There should be a collection of hats worn by your grandmother in the attic
7. Our cat enjoys pieces of food slipped to him by the family under the table.
8. She ate two peaches and a plate of strawberries with relish.
9. In a tank at the aquarium, we watched the seals playing.
10. I could see the scouts marching over the hill with my binoculars.