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Dangling Modifiers Can Be Dangerous

A GRAMMAR TUTORIAL

BY NANCY SCHROCK

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Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers

Topics for Today’s Discussion3

Definition of a modifierTypes of modifiersExamples of misplaced and dangling

modifiersCorrecting the problemExercises and a confessionConclusions

Modifier4

What is a modifier? An expression that limits or describes another word or

phrase Words, phrases, or subordinate clauses Example: Little boats (little describes boats)

Types of Modifiers5

Adjectives - modify nouns or pronouns Little boats stay close to shore.

Adverbs - modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs Little boats sail slowly. (adverb)

Participial phrases - function as adjectives and are participles (verbs ending in -ing) plus other words Having no GPS, our boat stays close to shore.

Prepositional phrases - function as adjectives or adverbs, preposition + noun or noun equivalent With only one sail, our boat stays close to shore.

Infinitive phrases- as modifiers can function as adjectives or adverbs To avoid risk, we sail our boat close to shore.

Subordinate clauses - as modifiers they contain a subject + verb but function as adjectives or adverbs Little boats that stay close to shore avoid taking risks.

Not usually a problem

Can be problematic

Misplaced or Dangling Modifiers6

Misplaced modifiers are not near the word they modify Example: If you stay close to the shore for little boats, the risk of

sinking is reduced. (For little boats is close to shore and seems to be modifying shore.)

Improved: If you stay close to the shore, the risk of sinking for little boats is reduced.

Dangling modifier is one where the word modified is not explicit Example: By staying close to shore, the risk of sinking is reduced. (The

word modified, boat, is not in the sentence.) Improved: By staying close to shore, little boats reduce the risk of

sinking. Delayed subject -- it or there is nearest the modifier but is not the word

modified Example: By staying close to shore, it is possible for little boats to

reduce the risk of sinking. (It delays the appearance of the subject, boats, and reduces the clarity of the meaning.)

Improved: By staying close to shore, little boats reduce the risk of sinking.

More Misplaced Modifiers7

Squinting modifiers A modifier caught between two words, either of

which might be the modified word Example: Little boats sailing quickly found tar

close to shore (Did the boats sail quickly or quickly find tar?)

Improved: When the little boats sailed near to shore, they quickly found tar.

Split infinitives (to + verb) A modifier placed between to and the verb Example: … to carefully stay close to shore…. Improved: …to stay carefully close to shore….

Squinting Modifier…

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How to Correct Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

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The modifier should be positioned to give the correct meaning - usually near the word modified

Make the word modified obvious and not hidden or ambiguous

Don’t split infinitivesRecognize that modifiers can be misplaced

or dangling and consult a guide when in doubt

Correcting Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers Continued

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“Most misplaced modifiers can be corrected by moving them to the beginning of the sentence or closer to the word modified. Dangling modifiers are often phrases already at the start of the sentence and followed by a comma. They should modify the subject of the sentence which follows the comma.

Dangling modifiers can be corrected by adding a word which the phrase can modify or by changing the phrase to a clause.” * For example, “Hit into the outfield, the boy caught the ball.”

(Incorrect)Change to the following: “The boy caught the ball, which was hit into the outfield.”

* Towns, Esther. “Don't Let Your Modifier Dangle, Columnist Warns.” The Star Press, Muncie, Ind. 1998. <http://jdwritingctr.iweb .bsu.edu/workshop/Towns/Dangling.Modifiers.htm> 22 October 2010.

Exercises11

BP was sure by August the oil would be stopped. (squinting modifier -- Was BP sure by August or would the oil be stopped by August?)

BP was sure the oil would be stopped by August.

Remembering that one can tell a cracked vessel by its sound, Tony Hayward stated to the press that he wanted his life back. (dangling modifier -- It was not Tony who remembered this expression.)

Remembering that one can tell a cracked vessel by its sound, I watched Tony Hayward state to the press that he wanted his life back.

Exercises12

Throwing pearls to swine, it was clear BP executives would not take the scientists’ advice. (delayed subject)

Throwing pearls to swine, the scientists gave BP executives advice that they would not take.

At the risk of being insensitive, he will get another date with me when hell freezes over. (misplaced modifier -- The speaker or writer is the one at risk of being insensitive.)

At the risk of being insensitive, I told him I would date him again when hell freezes over.

Exercises and Confession13

In The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne had to publicly wear the red letter “A” to mark her as an adulterer. (split infinitive)

In The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne had to wear publicly the red letter “A” to mark her as an adulterer.

When her performance did not improve, Penny worked with Kelly Services to have the contractor replaced. (It was not Penny’s performance that was a problem.)

When the contractor’s performance did not improve, Penny worked with Kelly Services to have the contractor replaced. (added whose performance to the subordinate clause)

Conclusion14

Ensure clarity of meaning with modifiersLocate the modifier near the word modifiedMake the word modified obvious and not

ambiguousSeek assistance from references when in

doubt!References:From the Writing Lab website:

http://uwf.edu/writelab/advice/documents/wa-onjobgram8.htm

A Writer’s Reference, Diana HackerThe Random House Handbook