Dangling Modifiers

What is a dangling modifier?

A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that fails to refer logically to any word in the sentence.  They can be difficult to recognize, but they are relatively easy to repair.

Recognizing dangling modifiers

There are several types of dangling modifiers, but, in most cases, dangling modifiers are composed of phrases that suggest but do not name an actor. The actor is the noun in the sentence that receives the modification. Dangling modifiers are often found at the beginning of sentences and cause the reader to expect the subject of the next clause to name the actor. When this happens, the modifier is left dangling.

Checking for dangling modifiers

Does an opening phrase suggest an          ----- NO.  No revision necessary.

action without naming the actor?   

                        |

                        |

                     YES.

Does the subject of the                          ----- YES. No revision necessary.

Sentence name the actor?

                        |

                        |

           NO.

Revise the dangling modifier.

Four kinds of dangling modifiers and how to fix them

There are four kinds of dangling modifiers, depending on the variety of modifier being used. A modifier can contain a participle phrase, a preposition followed by a second phrase, an infinitive phrase, or an elliptical clause with an understood subject and verb. Dangling modifiers may be repaired either by naming the actor in the subject of the sentence or by naming the actor in the modifier phrase. Each sentence should be analyzed individually to determine the best method for reworking the dangling modifier, as one technique may be more appropriate than the other.  Examples of each type of dangling modifier and revision are given below.

1. Participle phrase

Dangling Modifier:

Falling asleep often in class, the final exam proved difficult for Larry.

(It is impossible for a final exam to fall asleep at all, much less multiple times.)

Possible Revisions:

·         Falling asleep often in class, Larry found the final exam to be difficult.

·         As he often fell asleep in class, the final exam proved difficult for Larry.

2. Prepositional followed by a second phrase

Dangling Modifier:

Upon graduating from college, unemployment became a reality for Gretchen.

(Unemployment cannot graduate from college; only students can.)

Possible Revisions:

·         Upon graduating from college, Gretchen’s unemployment became a reality.

·         Upon Gretchen’s graduation from college, unemployment became a reality.

3. Infinite phrase:

Dangling Modifier:

To avoid drowning, water wings were forced upon Joey.

(Water wings cannot actively avoid drowning.)

Possible Revisions:

·         To avoid drowning, Joey was forced to don water wings.

·         To avoid Joey’s drowning, water wings were forced upon him.

4. Elliptical clause with an understood subject and verb

Dangling Modifier:

Though only four, crayons were already Martha’s favorite medium of expression. (It is unclear whether the crayons are four years old, which is possible but not the intended purpose of the sentence, whether there are only four of them, or whether Martha is a four-year-old.)

Possible Revisions:

·         Though only four, Martha had already determined that crayons were her favorite medium of expression.

·         Though she was only four, crayons were already Martha’s favorite medium of expression.