Modifier Mishaps: Avoiding Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers
Dangling and misplaced modifiers are frequent grammatical errors that can lead to confusing,
awkward, or unintentionally humorous sentences. Understanding the distinction between them and
recognizing common pitfalls is key to clear and effective writing.
Dangling Modifiers: The Unattached Description
A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that describes something that isn't clearly stated in the
sentence. The "dangler" is left hanging because the word it's meant to modify is missing or improperly
placed, leading the reader to connect the modifier to the wrong subject. This often occurs when an
introductory phrase doesn't logically connect to the subject of the main clause.
Common Mistakes and Examples:
Introductory Phrases: Participial phrases (starting with an "-ing" or "-ed" verb), infinitive phrases
(to + verb), or prepositional phrases at the beginning of a sentence are common culprits.
o Incorrect: Hoping to get a good grade, the exam was aced. (This implies the exam was hoping.)
o Correct: Hoping to get a good grade, Sarah aced the exam. (The subject "Sarah" is added.)
o Correct: Because she hoped to get a good grade, the exam was aced. (The introductory phrase is
revised to include the subject.)
Passive Voice: Sentences in the passive voice can sometimes obscure the doer of the action, making it
easy for a modifier to dangle.
o Incorrect: After finishing the report, the printer jammed. (This suggests the printer finished the
report.)
o Correct: After I finished the report, the printer jammed.
o Correct: After finishing the report, I found that the printer had jammed.
Misplaced Modifiers: The Poorly Positioned Description
A misplaced modifier, on the other hand, is a descriptive word, phrase, or clause that is positioned too
far from the word it intends to modify. While the intended subject is present in the sentence, the
modifier's placement causes it to appear to describe a different word, leading to ambiguity or a
nonsensical meaning.
Common Mistakes and Examples:
Adverbs: Simple adverbs like "only," "almost," "just," "nearly," and "barely" are frequently misplaced,
changing the intended meaning of the sentence.
o Incorrect: She almost ate all the cookies. (This could mean she came close to eating but ate none.)
o Correct: She ate almost all the cookies. (This means she ate most of the cookies.)
o Incorrect: He only wants to borrow the book. (This could imply he is the only one who wants to
borrow it.)
o Correct: He wants to borrow only the book. (This means he doesn't want to borrow anything else.)
Prepositional Phrases and Clauses: Phrases or clauses meant to describe a specific noun can create
confusion if placed incorrectly.
o Incorrect: The patient discussed his recurring headaches with the doctor that were very painful. (This
suggests the doctor was very painful.)
o Correct: The patient discussed his recurring headaches that were very painful with the doctor.
o Incorrect: They bought a puppy for my sister they call Max. (This suggests the sister is called Max.)
o Correct: They bought a puppy they call Max for my sister.
Why Are These Mistakes Common?
Writer's Assumption: Writers often know what they mean to say, so the ambiguity might not be
apparent to them during the writing process.
Sentence Complexity: As sentences become longer and more complex, it's easier to lose track of
which modifiers are connected to which words.
Focus on Content over Structure: Sometimes, the focus is more on conveying information than on
the precise grammatical structure, leading to these errors slipping in.
Speaking vs. Writing: In spoken language, intonation and context can often clarify meaning even
with misplaced modifiers. This doesn't translate well to written text.
Tips to Avoid Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers:
Identify the Modifier and Its Target: Always ask yourself what word the modifying phrase or clause
is describing. Ensure that word is present and clearly connected.
Place Modifiers Close: Position modifying words, phrases, and clauses as close as possible to the
words they are intended to modify.
Check Introductory Phrases: Ensure that the subject of the main clause immediately following an
introductory modifying phrase is the word the phrase is actually describing.
Read Sentences Aloud: This can help you catch awkward phrasing or sentences that don't sound
logical.
Revise for Clarity: If a sentence seems ambiguous, rewrite it. This might involve adding the missing
subject, rephrasing the modifying phrase, or changing the sentence structure (e.g., from passive to
active voice).
Be Careful with Adverbs: Pay special attention to the placement of limiting adverbs.
By being mindful of these common errors and actively proofreading for them, writers can significantly
improve the clarity and precision of their work.
