Dangling Modifiers
404
Simon and Schuster
A Dangling WHAT!
• A dangling modifier describes or limits a word or
words that never actually appear in the sentence.
• Aware of the intended meaning, the writer
unconsciously supplies the missing words, but the
reader gets confused.
• To correct a dangling modifier, clearly state the
intended SUBJECT in the sentence.
Examples
• Having read Faulkner’s short story “A Rose for Emily,”
the ending surprised us. States the ending was reading the story….
• Having read Faulkner’s short story “A Rose for Emily”
we were surprised by the ending. Includes the subject we….
• We read Faulkner’s short story “A Rose for Emily” and
were surprised by the ending. Includes the subject we …
• When courting Emily, the townspeople gossiped about
her. Are the townspeople courting Emily?
• When Emily was being courted by Homer Barron, the
townspeople gossiped about her. The person doing the courting …
The Major cause …
• To earn money, china painting lessons were offered
by Emily to wealthy young women. China painting
cannot earn money
• To earn money, Emily offered china painting
lessons to wealthy young women.
Active Voice – Emily offered corrects the
problem.
• To understand what happened to Krakatoa, the
volcano and its history must be studied.
• To understand what happened to Krakatoa, one
must study the volcano and its history.