1. Correcting Dangling Modifiers
What is a dangling modifier?
How to fix dangling modifiers
Participial phrases
Infinitive phrases
Review A
Review B

2. What is a dangling modifier?
A modifier should clearly and sensibly modify another word or word group.
But look at this sentence: ?
While wrapping the gifts, our cat kept trying to play with the bows.
Who or what was wrapping the gifts?
The cat?

3. What is a dangling modifier?
A dangling modifier is a modifier that doesn’t clearly and sensibly modify another word or word group. ? ? ?
To find the hotel, help would be needed.
Peering at the map, the streets looked unfamiliar.
Lost, the guide book was consulted.
Does help have to find the hotel?
Was the guide book lost?
Were the streets peering at the map?

4. What is a dangling modifier?
Dangling modifiers often occur at the beginning of a sentence. When a sentence begins with a participial phrase or infinitive phrase, use these steps to tell if the phrase is dangling.
Step 1: Look at the word or word group right after the comma.
Participial phrase
Checking in the mirror, the makeup looked good.
Checking in the mirror, the makeup looked good.

5. What is a dangling modifier?
Participial phrases
A participial phrase is used as an adjective and consists of a participle and any complements or modifiers the participle has.
Participial phrase
Mimicking his owner, the parrot whistled.
Participial phrase
The parrot kept in that cage has been sold.
Both participial phrases modify the noun parrot.

6. What is a dangling modifier?
Infinitive phrases
An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive and any complements or modifiers the infinitive has. The entire phrase can be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.
Infinitive phrase
The team’s desire to win the game was obvious.
The infinitive phrase to win the game is used as an adjective to modify the noun desire.

7. What is a dangling modifier?
Step 2: Ask yourself, “Does it make sense for the phrase to modify the word or word group after the comma?” ?
Dangling modifier
Participial phrase
Checking in the mirror, the makeup looked good.
Was the makeup checking in the mirror?
No, it doesn’t make sense for the participial phrase to modify makeup.
If the phrase doesn’t sensibly modify the word after the comma, you probably have a dangling modifier.

8. What is a dangling modifier?
Try it out with this sentence: ?
Dangling modifier
Having selected a college, a trip to the campus was planned.
Which word or word group follows the comma?
trip
Does it make sense that the trip has selected a college?
NO.
The phrase is a dangling modifier.

9. What is a dangling modifier?
Identify the dangling modifier in each of the following sentences. Be prepared to explain why it is a dangling modifier.
1. Living in New York City, noise has to be tolerated.
2. To solve the problem, patience is necessary.
3. Trying to write a story on the computer, my dog Buster kept pawing my arm.

10. What is a dangling modifier?
Identify the dangling modifier in each of the following sentences. Be prepared to explain why it is a dangling modifier. ?
1. Living in New York City, noise has to be tolerated.
Which word or word group follows the comma?
noise
Does it make sense that noise lives in New York City? NO
The phrase is a dangling modifier.

11. What is a dangling modifier?
Identify the dangling modifier in each of the following sentences. Be prepared to explain why it is a dangling modifier. ?
2. To solve the problem, patience is necessary.
Which word or word group follows the comma?
patience
Does it make sense that patience is solving a problem? NO
The phrase is a dangling modifier.

12. What is a dangling modifier?
Identify the dangling modifier in each of the following sentences. Be prepared to explain why it is a dangling modifier. ?
3. Trying to write a story on the computer, my dog Buster kept pawing my arm.
Which word or word group follows the comma?
dog
Does it make sense that the dog was trying to write a story on the computer? NO
The phrase is a dangling modifier.

13. What is a dangling modifier?
On Your Own
Circle the word or word group that appears to be modified by the boldfaced word or phrase. Then, determine whether the boldfaced word or phrase is a dangling modifier. Write D for a dangling modifier or C if the modifier is correct.
___ 1. Thirsty and weary, the stream was a welcome sight.
___ 2. Convinced of the prisoner’s innocence, the judge ruled that he should be set free.
___ 3. Riding in the glass-bottomed boat, hundreds of beautiful fish could be seen.
[End of Section]

14. What is a dangling modifier?
Answers
Circle the word or word group that appears to be modified by the boldfaced word or phrase. Then, determine whether the boldfaced word or phrase is a dangling modifier. Write D for a dangling modifier or C if the modifier is correct.
___ 1. Thirsty and weary, the stream was a welcome sight.
___ 2. Convinced of the prisoner’s innocence, the judge ruled that he should be set free.
___ 3. Riding in the glass-bottomed boat, hundreds of beautiful fish could be seen. D C D

15. How to fix dangling modifiers
To fix a dangling modifier, you will need to make the meaning logical and clear.
Strategy 1: Revise the word group that follows the dangling modifier. ?
While sitting on the porch, we heard the rain begin to fall.
Dangling modifier
While sitting on the porch, the rain began to fall.
Was the rain sitting on the porch?
Now the modifier while sitting on the porch logically and clearly modifies the subject we.
No. A logical subject—such as we—needs to follow the comma.

16. How to fix dangling modifiers
Strategy 2: Revise the dangling modifier itself.
Dangling modifier ?
While sitting on the porch, the rain began to fall.
While we were sitting on the porch, the rain began to fall.
Adding we were to the dangling modifier makes the meaning clear. Now the modifier clearly and sensibly modifies the verb began.

17. How to fix dangling modifiers
Dangling modifiers often occur when the verb in a sentence is in the passive voice.
Grammar Guy Says...
Passive voice
A short drive was taken by us.
The action is done to the subject, drive.
Active voice
We took a short drive.
The action is done by the subject, we.

18. How to fix dangling modifiers
Changing a sentence from the passive voice to the active voice often eliminates a dangling modifier.
Grammar Guy Says...
Passive voice ?
Having waxed the car, a short drive was taken by us.
Active voice
Having waxed the car, we took a short drive.

19. How to fix dangling modifiers Participial phrases
Strategy 1: Revise the word group after the participial phrase. Add a noun or pronoun that the phrase can modify. ?
Participial phrase
Adding some frosting, the cake was finished.
Participial phrase
Adding some frosting, I finished the cake.
Now the participial phrase clearly and sensibly modifies the pronoun I.

20. How to fix dangling modifiers Participial phrases
Strategy 2: Change the participial phrase into a clause. ?
Participial phrase
Adding some frosting, the cake was finished.
Adverb clause
After I added some frosting, the cake was finished.
Now the adverb clause modifies the verb was finished, telling when the cake was finished.

21. How to fix dangling modifiers
A clause is a word group that contains a verb and its subject.
subject
verb
subject
verb
The train left the station before they arrived.
The train left the station
The train left the station.
before they arrived
Independent clause
Subordinate clause
An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand by itself as a complete sentence.
A subordinate clause does not express a complete thought and cannot be a sentence. It must be attached to an independent clause.

22. How to fix dangling modifiers Participial phrases
Participial phrases that seem to modify possessive nouns or pronouns are dangling modifiers. Reword the sentence to avoid using the possessive form. ?
Participial phrase
Washing them repeatedly, Lady Macbeth’s hands still appear bloody.
Participial phrase
Washing her hands repeatedly, Lady Macbeth still sees blood on them.
Now the phrase sensibly modifies the noun Lady Macbeth.

23. How to fix dangling modifiers Infinitive phrases
Strategy 1: Revise the word group after the infinitive phrase. Add a noun or pronoun as the subject. ?
Infinitive phrase
To win this election, your support will be needed.
Infinitive phrase
To win this election, I will need your support.
Now the infinitive phrase clearly and sensibly modifies will need, telling why I will need your support.

24. How to fix dangling modifiers Infinitive phrases
Strategy 2: Change the infinitive phrase into a clause. ?
Infinitive phrase
To win this election, your support will be needed.
Adverb clause
If I am to win this election, your support will be needed.
Now the adverb clause modifies the verb will be needed, telling why your support will be needed.

25. How to fix dangling modifiers
Revise each sentence to correct the underlined dangling modifier.
While walking on Spring Avenue, an accident occurred.
To improve the yard, a tree could be planted.
3. Puzzled by the speaker’s statement, a sea of hands rose in the audience.

26. How to fix dangling modifiers
Revise each sentence to correct the underlined dangling modifier.
Possible Answers
While walking on Spring Avenue, I witnessed an accident.
While walking on Spring Avenue now modifies the pronoun I.
While I was walking on Spring Avenue, an accident occurred.
While I was walking on Spring Avenue now modifies occurred.

27. How to fix dangling modifiers
Revise each sentence to correct the underlined dangling modifier.
Possible Answers
To improve the yard, you could plant a tree.
To improve the yard, plant a tree.
In the original sentence the infinitive phrase seemed to modify tree. In these revised sentences a logical subject—you—has been added. (You is the understood subject in the second sentence.)

28. How to fix dangling modifiers
Revise each sentence to correct the underlined dangling modifier.
Possible Answers
3. Puzzled by the speaker’s statement, many members of the audience raised their hands.
Now the participial phrase sensibly modifies the noun members.
3. After the speaker made his statement, a sea of hands rose in the audience.
The adverb clause that has been created sensibly modifies rose.

29. How to fix dangling modifiers
On Your Own
Revise each sentence to correct the dangling modifier.
1. Alone in the house, every little noise made her jump.
2. To win this game, hard work will be necessary.
3. After cleaning the bathroom, Matt’s next chore was to sweep the floors.
4. Opening my umbrella, the rain stopped.
[End of Section]

30. How to fix dangling modifiers
Possible Answers
Revise each sentence to correct the dangling modifier.
1. Alone in the house, every little noise made her jump.
2. To win this game, hard work will be necessary.
3. After cleaning the bathroom, Matt’s next chore was to sweep the floors.
4. Opening my umbrella, the rain stopped.
1. Alone in the house, she jumped at every little noise.
2. To win this game, our team will have to work hard.
3. After he cleaned the bathroom, Matt’s next chore was to sweep the floors.
4. As I opened my umbrella, the rain stopped.

31. Review A
Identify each dangling modifier. If a sentence does not have a dangling modifier, label it C.
1. To make a good grade, homework must be done on time.
2. Foggy and rainy, the driver could barely see the road.
3. While touring the ruins, good walking shoes are essential.
4. Carrying the camping gear, we found the hike up the mountain tiring.
5. The front door was a welcome sight, exhausted after a long day.
[End of Section]

32. Review A
Identify each dangling modifier. If a sentence does not have a dangling modifier, label it C.
1. To make a good grade, homework must be done on time.
2. Foggy and rainy, the driver could barely see the road.
3. While touring the ruins, good walking shoes are essential.
4. Carrying the camping gear, we found the hike up the mountain tiring. C
5. The front door was a welcome sight, exhausted after a long day.

33. Review B Revise each sentence to correct the dangling modifier.
1. To hang the picture on the wall, a nail will be needed.
2. Disappointed, it was time to start the project all over.
3. The kite soared into the air while running across the field.
4. Finishing the chores early, there was time to read before bed.
5. Considering the evidence carefully, the defendant was found guilty.
[End of Section]

34. Review B Revise each sentence to correct the dangling modifier.
Possible Answers
Revise each sentence to correct the dangling modifier.
1. To hang the picture on the wall, you will need a nail.
1. To hang the picture on the wall, a nail will be needed.
2. Disappointed, it was time to start the project all over.
2. Disappointed, he started the project all over.
3. The kite soared into the air while I was running across the field.
3. The kite soared into the air while running across the field.
4. Finishing the chores early, he had time to read before bed.
4. Finishing the chores early, there was time to read before bed.
5. Considering the evidence carefully, the defendant was found guilty.
5. After the jury considered the evidence carefully, the defendant was found guilty.

35. The End