Dangling Modifiers: Examples and How toFix This Mistake

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What Are Dangling Modifiers

A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that describes something that is not clearly stated in the sentence. Oftentimes, dangling modifiers occur because the sentence is missing a subject that the modifier can refer to. The modifier seems to dangle with nothing to connect to, leading to confusion.

Here’s an exaggerated example of a dangling modifier:

Walking down the street, a tree caught my attention.

Did the tree take a stroll? Of course not! A person was walking, but the sentence structure suggests otherwise.

Common Issues with Modifiers

Distant Modifier

A related issue is the distant modifier, where the word or words the modifier is supposed to refer to are too far away or removed from the modifier:

The volunteers served the hungry visitors a hot meal in the basement of the church with oversight from the staff.

Here it may seem like the modifier “with oversight from the staff” is describing the basement. But it’s too far removed from the words it’s intended to modify (“volunteers” and “served”).

Missing Subject

Oftentimes, dangling modifiers occur because the subject is missing from the main clause:

Walking to class, the books fell out of her backpack.

Who was walking to class? The sentence doesn’t tell us because there is no subject. Add a subject to clarify:

As Sara was walking to class, the books fell out of her backpack.

Now the modifier is clearly referring to Sara.

Examples of Dangling Modifiers

Here are several more examples of dangling modifier errors:

• Running for the bus, the flowers fell out of her backpack onto the sidewalk. (Who was running for the bus?)
• To prepare for the party, the instructions were carefully written down by Sam. (Who was preparing for the party?)
• After working all day in the hot sun, the tall glass of ice water was refreshing. (Who was working all day?)
• Riding her new bicycle quickly, the trees whizzed by Jessie. (Who was riding quickly?)

In each case, adding a subject to the main clause clarifies the meaning:

• As Anna was running for the bus, the flowers fell out of her backpack onto the sidewalk.
• As James prepared for the party, he carefully wrote down the instructions.
• After working all day in the hot sun, John found the tall glass of ice water refreshing.
• As Jessie was riding her new bicycle quickly, the trees whizzed by her.

How to Fix Dangling Modifiers

Method 1: Use Grammarly

Grammarly is a free writing assistant that can improve your writing with the click of a button. It will scan your writing and identify the dangling modifiers for you. Incorrect text is underlined in red. Simply click it and accept the corrections provided by Grammarly.

Example:

• Original: Walking to school, my backpack felt heavy.
• Revised: As I was walking to school, my backpack felt heavy.

Get Grammarly here

Method 2: Add What’s Missing

Identify and add a logical subject to the main clause that the modifier can refer to:

• Original: Walking her dog, the morning air was crisp and refreshing.
• Revision: As Katie was walking her dog, the morning air was crisp and refreshing.

Method 3: Rewrite the Beginning

Rephrase the modifier to directly follow or refer clearly to the subject of the main clause:

• Original: Baked in the oven for 20 minutes, Hannah removed the tray of cookies.
• Revision: After Hannah baked the cookies in the oven for 20 minutes, she removed the tray.

How to Avoid Common Mistakes

1. Identify and include who or what is doing the action
   • Make sure every modifier has a clear, logical subject in the sentence to attach to
   • If a modifier seems to dangle, check your sentence structure
   • Example:
     • Dangling: Riding my bike to work every morning, the trees pass quickly.
     • Revised: As I ride my bike to work every morning, the trees pass quickly.
2. Put the modifier close to the word or phrase it modifies
   • Place descriptive clauses and phrases right next to the noun or verb they describe
   • Example:
     • Misplaced: The patient was referred to the specialist with stomach pains.
     • Revised: The patient with stomach pains was referred to the specialist.
3. Connect separate ideas into one clear sentence
   • Example:
     • Dangling: After receiving the test results. Her condition was worse than expected.
     • Revised: After receiving the test results, Jane realized her condition was worse than expected.
4. Use writing tools like Grammarly

Test Your Knowledge

Which of the following sentences contains a dangling modifier?

A. Barking loudly, John hoped the neighbor’s dog would stop making such a racket.

B. Dripping with sweat, the spicy chicken wings were placed on a paper towel.

C. Having missed breakfast, Sarah’s stomach was growling loudly in class.

D. Running five miles a day, my stamina has greatly improved.

Answer: B contains the dangling modifier. The chicken wings themselves are not dripping with sweat, so the introductory phrase illogically describes “the chicken wings.”

Quick Reference Guide

Follow these steps to catch dangling modifiers:

1. Read your sentences backward: Do the subjects and descriptors match logically?
2. Check that every modifier has a subject in the sentence. Add one if needed.
3. Place modifiers right next to the words they describe.
4. Use Grammarly: Let the app help flag awkward structures.
5. Read your drafts aloud: Our ears often catch inconsistencies our eyes miss.

Conclusion

By properly placing descriptive phrases close to the nouns they describe, using a digital assistant, and watching for sentences with mismatched or missing subjects, you can largely eliminate confusing dangling modifiers from your writing.

With practice, you’ll not only write more clearly, but also become aware of dangling modifiers in other texts as well. Mastering this concept will improve the readability of your work for any audience.