Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

1. Chapter 15 Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers English Brushup, 3EJohn Langan

2. Misplaced Parts • When building a sentence, avoid needless separation of related parts of the sentence. • A misplaced modifier is positioned in a sentence so that it is unclear which word, phrase, or clause is modified.

3. Modifiers such asalmost, only,just, even, hardly, nearly,andmerely, should be placed immediately before the words they modify. Example: My mother only works on Saturdays and Sundays. This sentence indicates that the mother only works -- she does not eat, sleep, or talk. Misplaced Parts

4. Misplaced Parts We must place the modifier before a different word so the sentence is clearly understood. Ex.: My mother only works on Saturdays and Sundays. Revised: My mother works only on Saturdays and Sundays.

5. Misplaced Parts Example….. Her job is to file newspaper articles about handgun use in the library. A modifying phrase should clearly indicate what the phrase modifies. Revised….. Her job in the library is to file newspaper articles about handgun use.

6. Modifying Clauses Modifying clauses should be placed near the words they modify. Revised….. Before the class begins, the librarian explains how they use the computer to do research. Example….. The librarian explains how they use the computer to do research before the class begins.

7. Dangling Modifiers A modifier that opens a sentence must be followed immediately by the word it is meant to describe. Otherwise, the result is a Dangling Modifier.

8. Dangling Modifiers Here’s an example: Jumping from limb to limb, the spectators at the zoo were delighted by the monkeys. (The spectators weren’t jumping, were they?)

9. Dangling Modifiers That’s the trouble with Your sentences take on an unintended meaning. Let’s correct the sentence about the monkeys. Dangling Modifiers :

10. Incorrect: Jumping from limb to limb, the spectators at the zoo were delighted by the monkeys. Correct: Jumping from limb to limb, the monkeys delighted the spectators at the zoo. Dangling Modifiers How did the sentence change?

11. We put the subject right after the opening word group. Jumping from limb to limb, the delighted the spectators at the zoo. Dangling Modifiers monkeys Can we fix the sentence another way?

12. Yes! We can place the subject within the opening word group. While the were jumping from limb to limb, they delighted the spectators at the zoo. Dangling Modifiers monkeys Let’s review. . .

13. Correcting Dangling Modifiers Decide on a logical subject, and do one of the following: 1. Place the subject right after the opening word group. OR 2. Place the subject within the opening word group.