Putting Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

1
Putting Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
In
Their
Place
2
Misplaced Modifiers

• A misplaced modifier is a modifier that is
  incorrectly separated from the word or words that
  it describes.
• Misplaced modifiers seem to describe words that
  the author did not intend them to describe.
• When modifiers are misplaced, the reader may
  misunderstand the sentence.
• Generally, the solution is to place the modifier
  as close as possible to the word or words it
  describes.

3
Misplaced Modifiers

• Misplaced modifier

Sam bought a used car from a local dealer with a
smoky tailpipe.

• Corrected version

Sam bought a used car with a smoky tailpipe from
a local dealer.
4
Misplaced Modifiers

• Misplaced modifier

The robin built a nest at the back of our house
of grass and string.

• Corrected version

The robin built a nest of grass and string at the
back of our house.
5
Misplaced Modifiers

• Misplaced modifier

Christie almost sneezed fifteen times last
evening.

• Corrected version

Christie sneezed almost fifteen times last
evening.
6
Dangling Modifiers

• A modifier that starts a sentence must be
  followed right away by the word that it
  describes. Otherwise, the modifier is said to be
  dangling, and the sentence takes on an unintended
  meaning.

7
Dangling Modifiers

• Dangling modifier

Sitting in the dentists chair, the sound of the
drill made Larry sweat.

• Corrected version

As Larry was sitting in the dentists chair, the
sound of the drill made him sweat.
8
Dangling Modifiers

• Dangling modifier

Sitting in the dentists chair, the sound of the
drill made Larry sweat.

• Corrected version

Sitting in the dentists chair, Larry sweated at
the sound of the drill.
9
Dangling Modifiers

• Dangling modifier

Soaring through the sky, Brenda watched the
high- powered jet.

• Corrected version

Brenda watched the high-powered jet soaring
through the sky.
10
Practice

• In the green Elements of Language book
• Complete Exercise 8, p. 545 on the back of your
  notes sheet