Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers: Part 2

Learning Outcomes:

1. Examine a variety of sentences containing misplaced or dangling modifiers
2. Identify if a sentence contains a misplaced modifier, a dangling modifier or no modifier errors

Modifiers introduction:

A modifier adds information to an element in a sentence. It can be an adverb, an adjective, a phrases or a clause.
Using modifiers correctly is important to convey a clear message. Incorrect use of modifiers can alter the meaning of a sentence, which can sometimes lead to confusion or unintended humour.

Example: The zombies almost ate all of the students’ brains.

Almost is the modifier.

Note: The placement of the word “almost” before the verb “ate” implies that the zombie almost ate the brains, but then didn’t. If we place the word almost after the verb, “The zombie ate almost all the students’ brains.”, this implies that the zombie ate most of the brains, but left some behind. Do you see the difference? The placement of the word “almost” matters.

Misplaced modifiers:

A misplaced modifier is a modifier that is in the wrong place within a sentence. Essentially, it is modifying the wrong word.

In order to fix a misplaced modifier, move it closer to the word it is intended to modify.

Example 1: I showed my arm to the professor with bite marks.

Note: Who has the bite marks here? By placing the phrase “with bite marks” after the word “professor”, the sentence implies that it is the professor who has the bite marks. Is that the intended meaning?

Example 2: I showed my arm with bite marks to the professor.

Note: Now that the phrase “with bite marks” is placed closer to its subject “my arm”, it is clear that the professor is not the one with the bite marks.

Here is another example of a misplaced modifier:

Example 1: Ms. Modifier kept her costume in a drawer that had been made for her.

Note: The location of the modifier phrase “that had been made for her” next to the word “drawer” implies that the drawer was made for Ms. Modifier. Is that the intended meaning?

Example 2: Ms. Modifier kept her costume that had been made for her in a drawer.

Note: Now that the modifier is moved next to the word “costume”, it is clear that the costume was made for Ms Modifier, not the drawer.

Dangling modifiers:

A dangling modifier means the word to be modified doesn’t appear in the sentence.

To fix this problem, add a subject for the modifier to describe.

Example 1: Biking through the courtyard, a zombie appeared.

Note: Who is biking? The sentence is missing a subject, so the clause modifier “biking through the courtyard” is confusing.

Example 2: As the student was biking through the courtyard, a zombie appeared.

Note:  By adding a subject, the student, the modifier makes sense. 

Here is another example of a dangling modifier:

Example 1: Entering the cafeteria, a group of zombies were seen.

Note: Who is entering the cafeteria? Not the zombies because they’re already there. The subject of the modifier is missing.

Example 2: As Ms. Modifier entered the cafeteria, she saw a group of zombies.

Note: Now a subject is added with a few other grammatical changes to the sentence. See the difference?

Check your understanding:

Determine if the following sentences contains a misplaced modifier, a dangling modifier, or no modifier errors.

1. While at the library, the lights shone brightly on the zombies between the stacks of books.
   1. misplaced modifier
   2. dangling modifier
   3. no modifier errors
2. The English professor started the lesson at the door while zombies could be heard.
   1. misplaced modifier
   2. dangling modifier
   3. no modifier errors
3. It was up to Ms. Modifier to save everyone from the mass of hungry zombies.
   1. misplaced modifier
   2. dangling modifier
   3. no modifier errors
4. Gathering all the best grammar weapons, the zombie apocalypse was stopped.
   1. misplaced modifier
   2. dangling modifier
   3. no modifier errors

Check your answer ^[1]