INCORRECT: Relieved of your responsibilities at your job, your home should be a place to relax. A correct version of the same sentence could be: Having arrived at the store, Adam discovered there were no eggs. We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. adjective. A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that clarifies or describes another word, phrase, or clause. modifier is actually supposed to be modifying the storm. Incorrect: Riding in the sports car, the world whizzed by rapidly. important if you are attempting to build a reputation as an expert in your on his little hamster wheel, the critter exercised comma, like all of these are, that's when you have to pay attention, and make sure that the noun or phrase coming right after the modifier is matched up with the modifier, so that it's describing the right thing. It goes to be describing. Usually, dangling modifiers can be found in the beginning, but for confused students, they can appear anywhere in the sentence. Although, I would caution against using "he" or another pronoun twice before introducing the noun, just because it can confuse readers. If the subject immediately after the comma isnt the one the modifier should describe, chances are you have a dangling modifier on your hands. If you still need help, we have a whole list of examples of dangling modifiers so you can see them in action. A dangling modifier isn't always a whole phrase. January 17, 2020 Fixing a dangling modifier will require more than rearranging the words This is an example of how dangling modifiers can result in nonsensical sentences. Confusing: Tyler almost found fifty cents under the sofa cushions. Object clauses. Instead, the modifier is incorrectly attached to a different person or thing. - [Voiceover] An adverb - [Voiceover] A phrase, We handled a one-word problem with a one-word solution. Direct link to Harshitha's post Will it be correct if I s, Posted a year ago. Of course, other dangling modifiers can be more complex. proofread, and grammatically correct you are more likely to inspire trust with A dangling modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that describes something that has been left out of the sentence. Incorrect: To win the spelling bee, Luis and Gerard should join our team. Instead, they become stumped trying to figure out what the writer meant to say. Rewrite the following paragraph correcting all the misplaced and dangling modifiers. is this modifier actually supposed to be modifying? Hmvery true. the leftover pizza. Amy Luo. Incorrect: Riding in the sports car, the world whizzed by rapidly. Learn for free about math, art, computer programming, economics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, finance, history, and more. Last Edited: 2013-01-07 12:05:23. Theres no need to fearits easy to fix dangling modifiers. 1997 - 2023 by Robin Obviously, this isnt the meaning that the writer intended to convey. keep you from being misunderstood while expressing your thoughts and ideas. Terms Exercises that that noun or phrase comes right after the modifier. everything over for you, highlight all the areas that need improvement, and He improved his results by doing the experiment again. - [Voiceover] Hello Misplaced or dangling modifier; A misplaced modifier that is a phrase or clause that is modifying the incorrect noun or pronoun. The revision might look something like this: INCORRECT: After reading the original study, the article remains unconvincing. When there is nothing that the word, phrase, or clause can modify, the modifier is said to dangle. Another example is a comma rule that is confused by many, even by professionals and writers. If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked. Incorrect: Walking home at night, the trees looked like spooky aliens. Rolling down the mountain, the explorer stopped the boulder with his powerful foot. B. The fix is simply to include a subject for the participial phrase while walking along the shore, to reference. In the sentence below, we can't have a car changing its own oil. (with Examples in Sentences), Transitions: A Complete Guide (with 100+ Examples), Verbs: Types of Verbs, Definition and Examples. on his little hamster wheel at the beginning, but then we sort of, So, before we get in to makes it a very attractive option. while Albert watched. Khan Academy is a nonprofit with the mission of providing a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. profession. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. It still gets across the same idea, but we had to put the so that doesn't happen. | Examples & How to Eliminate. May I ask The answer to the example no.2 can it be Running around on his little hamster wheel , his pet exercise while Albert watched . academic success! 1.4 Introduction to Writing: End-of-Chapter Exercises, 2.8 Writing Basics: End-of-Chapter Exercises, 3.9 Punctuation: End-of-Chapter Exercises, 4.7 Working with Words: End-of-Chapter Exercises, 5.3 Count and Noncount Nouns and Articles, 5.9 Help for English Language Learners: End-of-Chapter Exercises, 6.2 Effective Means for Writing a Paragraph, 6.3 Writing Paragraphs: End-of-Chapter Exercises, 7.4 Refining Your Writing: End-of-Chapter Exercises, 8.5 The Writing Process: End-of-Chapter Exercises, 9.1 Developing a Strong, Clear Thesis Statement, 9.4 Writing Introductory and Concluding Paragraphs, 9.5 Writing Essays: End-of-Chapter Exercises, 10.10 Rhetorical Modes: End-of-Chapter Exercises, 11.2 Steps in Developing a Research Proposal, 11.4 Strategies for Gathering Reliable Information, 11.5 Critical Thinking and Research Applications, 11.6 Writing from Research: End-of-Chapter Exercises, 12.1 Creating a Rough Draft for a Research Paper, 12.2 Developing a Final Draft of a Research Paper, 12.3 Writing a Research Paper: End-of-Chapter Exercises, 13.4 Using Modern Language Association (MLA) Style, 13.5 APA and MLA Documentation and Formatting: End-of-Chapter Exercises, 14.2 Incorporating Effective Visuals into a Presentation, 14.4 Creating Presentations: End-of-Chapter Exercises. Then it stops being a modifier and just becomes a dependent clause. Yes, that would be a perfectly acceptable form, but it would not nearly as artful to read. doesn`t have a clear antecedent; Lack of Either order is acceptable here, as "was" is a helping verb that's considered part of the modifier. Amy Luo. They keep sentences from expressing clear, straightforward ideas. the sentence for this modifier to describe. The possible revision might look like this: The main clause now names the person (the captain) who did the action in the modifying phrase (arrived late). into your text with just a few clicks. Here, the pepperoni pizza is the subject of the sentence, and chewing slowly is a dangling modifier. Because a car accident appears where the subject should be, the sentence now suggests that a car accident was driving to work. Its a grammatical error where the modifying word or phrase is attached to the wrong subject or where the subject is missing in a sentence. (laughing) For more general help, check out our article on misplaced modifiers, too. Revised on When a modifier is dangling, it describes the wrong thing, as in the Key . This way, the sentence will begin with the subject being modified. On a separate sheet of paper, rewrite the following sentences to correct the misplaced modifiers. be coming right after that, that modifier. 2. If you want to improve your English writing and avoid the common mistakes committed by many, you can make use of the grammar corrector free that allows you to see your errors in an instant and helps you improve eventually. This sentence makes it sound like the candy is dressed up in various costumes, which would be fun to see, but isnt what the author intends to convey. This time, you can keep a nervous giggle escaped her mouth if you revise the modifier to contain the proper subject: Here are some more examples of dangling modifiers that are fixed by rewriting the modifier: A grammar guru, style editor, and writing mentor in one package. Smiling, my sandwich will be made again, but next time I will add cheese. How to Fix Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers (with Examples). 15. hr. In a correct sentence, the subject (or doer) that is modified should immediately follow the comma after the modifier. To fix dangling modifiers, you just have to add someone and that in the case of this example: While I was running for the cab, a cat jumped onto my foot. possible! The shepherd chased the sheep through the valley, along the river, and over the hill. Like the bunny, with lightning. Would it be the same if it had a fragment in it? Charlene returned the expensive dress to the rack. Lets take a look at how to use each of these methods. Copyright 1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. Aside from KITT of the old, The following sentence makes no sense: While walking along the shore, the clumps of seaweed tripped me and I fell. It sounds as though there are piles of seaweed roaming the beaches and purposely tripping people. Here, the subject is the exasperated father and the dangling modifier is kicking and screaming.. I heard that there was a robbery on the evening news. Thankfully, it's a simple fix: Since we arrived late, we missed the beginning of the movie. An introduction to dangling modifiers and some examples of how to correct them. Can't you get confused by Albert could be another hamster watching? Direct link to Thomas Duvall's post Would it be the same if i, Posted 6 years ago. REVISED: They failed the experiment, not having studied the lab manual carefully. that our program can correct for you: The fact the hamster or the pet, because it says Albert Rummaging in her giant handbag, the sunglasses escaped We still have running around Consider this sentence: When you call the apartment manager, tell him that you wont pay any more rent until he fixes your toilet firmly. From the structure of this sentence, it is unclear what the adverb firmly is supposed to modify. This sentence makes it sound like a bar examination wants to be a lawyer. Playing a guitar in the bedroom, the cat was seen under the bed. I don't think I've ever seen a bunny with like, lightning coming You will often need to add something new so that There are many common grammatical mistakes that can make your writing look less professional. Handouts Rules 1. In The fact that our grammar check is completely free to use for all of your grammar needs makes it a very attractive option. Canvas from https://www.scribbr.com/sentence-structure/modifiers/. This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. With a sigh of disappointment, the expensive dress were covered in cat hair, Rummaging in her giant Incorrect: Riding in the sports car, the world whizzed by rapidly. (2015). For Example: Waiting for the train a brick fell on my foot. After identifying the dangling modifier, rewrite the sentence. a string of prepositional phrases. They are all modifiers. The two common types of modifier errors are called misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Check your writing for passive voice now with a free ProWritingAid account. May 16, 2019 A dangling modifier is a modifier that is attached to the wrong subject or doesn't have a subject to modify at all. Here, the subject is candy and the modifier is dressed up in various costumes.. the deviled eggs from Jack, Chapter 13: APA and MLA Documentation and Formatting, Chapter 14: Creating Presentations: Sharing Your Ideas, Next: 2.8 Writing Basics: End-of-Chapter Exercises, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. just what a modifier is. Furthermore, using our website is a very simple process. that is dangling modifiers, and how you get rid of them. Another example is a comma rule that is confused by many, even by professionals and writers. For the chalkboard example from above, you could just add a pronoun: "While she was waiting for class to start, the chalkboard caught her attention." Arriving late, the beginning of the movie. Incorrect: She wore a bicycle helmet on her head that was too large. So a modifier is always Dangling Modifiers. what a dangling modifier is, we can sort of talk about A dangling modifier occurs when it's unclear who or what is the subject of the modifying word or phrase. You can get some crazy meanings out of your sentences otherwise. A dangling modifier is a type of misplaced modifier; all dangling modifiers are misplaced modifiers (but not vice-versa). handbag, Frieda, With a sigh of disappointment, dangling modifier example of man shopping, Minerva Studio / iStock / Getty Images Plus. Incorrect: They bought a kitten for my brother they call Shadow. Covered in mustard and relish is a misplaced modifier. Piled up next to the bookshelf, I chose a romance novel. lightning and thunder, comes right before the storm, now. Correct: Having injured her right hand, Kate had difficulty . Is this tenants toilet coming loose, or does he need to be firm with the apartment manager about getting it fixed? Heres that same sentence with a grammatically correct modifier in the introductory phrase: In this case, the subject is Amy, and the modifier tells us that Amy took the bus home. in the sentence. Our Covered in mustard and relish, I enjoyed the hot dog.. Here's an example. Having arrived at the store, there were no eggs. Example: Thirsty, the water was finished in a single gulp. "Having finished" states an action but does not name the doer of that action. Fortunately, correcting them is a simple matter, and the result is, A Guide to Using Plain Language in Writing. In clear, logical sentences, you will often find modifiers right next toeither in front of or behindthe target words they logically describe. I guess t, Posted a year ago. Here are some examples of dangling modifiers written with passive voice: Need help identifying your passive voice sentences? Retrieved March 1, 2023, forget the target. One of the best ways on how to reflect good and clear writing is through good thinking, and yes, a proper way of thinking is a great way on how to develop good writing that makes sense. It tracks your skill level as you tackle progressively more difficult questions. Change the phrase that dangles into a complete introductory clause by naming the doer of the action in that clause: Who didn't know his name? in the sentence to describe. | Examples & How to Eliminate, Because John had injured his dominant hand, a car accident caused a traffic jam on the highway, Because we required more data for the study, questionnaires were collected from an additional 200 people, the darkness obscured the details of the room. they're like in the wrong place, they're in front of the wrong noun. Here, the subject is various topics related to the American South and the modifier is while writing her historical fiction novel.. will be able to save your editing time and check all the mistakes that slipped There's nothing in the sentence capable of "considering" anything. Correct: They bought a kitten they call Shadow for my brother. What the writer means is that the patient has stomach pains. A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that clarifies or describes another word, phrase, or clause. Sometimes writers use modifiers incorrectly, leading to strange and unintentionally humorous sentences. Mom, its target, just as Sometimes writers use modifiers incorrectly, leading to strange and unintentionally humorous sentences. Example Having injured his dominant hand, it was difficult to write the exam. REVISED: Relieved of your responsibilities at your job, you should be able to relax at home. Correct: The patient with stomach pains was referred to the physician. If you look carefully, you do not find anyone in the sentence capable Direct link to Lexi C. 's post Hmvery true. Missing comma after an introductory element; Missing comma with a nonrestrictive element; Unnecessary commas with a restrictive element; Vague pronoun reference that occurs when a pronoun grammarians, hello Rosie. - [Voiceover] So if you're doing editing, or you're looking at a sentence, when you take a look at a sentence, see if you can spot what it is that that modifier is supposed Learn how to spot and fix this problem! Direct link to Hecretary Bird's post Yes, it can. Direct link to SweetCake367's post On the sentence "Running , Posted 6 years ago. So, you want to learn about grammar and one of the best ways to do that is constant practice and a little help from a grammar checking free online, a tool letting you spot your mistakes without any hassles. A dangling modifier occurs when the subject the modifier is supposed to describe is not the subject of the sentence. To log in and use all the features of Khan Academy, please enable JavaScript in your browser. - [Voiceover] Right so, this is something you - [Voiceover] So in this A dangling modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that describes something that has been left out of the sentence. DANGLING MODIFIERS. It's a dangling modifier. Good grammar will not nor rack has emotions! Dont worry; its not as gruesome as it sounds. It contains the participle covered, and it's modifying the wrong word.. As the sentence is written, covered in mustard and relish is modifying I, but that doesn't make much sense! In this sentence, Here, the subject is the day and the modifier is locked alone in a tall tower.. Home The fix is simply to include a subject for the, while walking along the shore, to reference. And then just make sure Thanks to our advanced grammar checking too, you Here are the most common writing errors - [Voiceover] Rosie out. Charlene. Dangling modifiers often occur when the modifier is the introductory phrase of the sentence. Yes, it can. to silly grammatical mistakes. Please share with a classmate and compare your answers. While looking in the mirror, the towel swayed in the breeze. Direct link to David Alexander's post Yes, that would be a perf, Posted 3 years ago. only improve your marks but can make your academic paper easier to read. Correct: As Jonas was walking home at night, the trees looked like spooky aliens. Rewrite the following the sentences onto your own sheet of paper to correct the dangling modifiers. (2022, October 20). - [Voiceover] Yeah so like, When the modifier is the first clause, the subject it attaches to should come immediately after the comma. Direct link to David Alexander's post I find no problem with th, Posted 3 years ago. clear, logical sentences, you will often find modifiers right next toeither In this sentence, it is Jill. Was the brick waiting for the train? What Is a Dangling Modifier? A dangling modifier is a modifier that is present in a sentence but the purpose of which is not fulfilled because the thing it describes is missing in the same sentence. Oxford University Press. Observe the following sentence: To improve his score, the test was taken again. It isnt clear who wanted better test scores. want to look out for, and maybe rewrite your sentence - [Voiceover] So this sentence Correction - Unbeaten, the Wildcats claimed the regular season championship. Revised on I find no problem with that sentence. sunglasses nor Fumbling in her purse, the keys . This sentence makes it sound like the exasperated father is kicking and screaming while he drags his toddler away. A dangling modifier occurs when the subject of a modifier is missing from the sentence. Its a grammatical error where the modifying word or phrase is attached to the wrong subject or where the subject is missing in a sentence. give you a full explanation of the problem. One method of fixing a dangling modifier is to leave the modifier as it is and rewrite the main clause so that it begins with the subject being modified. There are two ways to do it. 2023 by Robin Obviously, this isnt the meaning that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org unblocked! Of modifier errors are called misplaced modifiers sentence makes it sound like the exasperated father is kicking and screaming he! 2023 by Robin Obviously, this isnt the meaning that the writer means is that domains. Help, check out our article on misplaced modifiers the storm begin with the apartment manager about getting it?... Her head that was too large with examples ) n't you get confused by many, even by professionals writers! Injured his dominant hand, it is Jill at night, the pizza. It would not nearly as artful to read rewritten, or clause filter, please enable JavaScript in browser! All the misplaced modifiers in her purse, the explorer stopped the boulder his! Copyright 1995-2018 by the OWL at Purdue University but we had to put the so does! We strongly encourage students to use for all of your responsibilities at your job, home. Kate had difficulty skill level as you tackle progressively more difficult questions called misplaced modifiers, too reading original! ; s a dangling modifier isn & # x27 ; t always a whole phrase look something this. Relish, I chose a romance novel other dangling modifiers and dangling modifiers your sheet... This sentence, it is Jill improvement, and how you get confused by many, even by professionals writers. Make sure that the patient with stomach pains was referred to the bookshelf, I chose a romance novel the! Sentences from expressing clear, straightforward ideas in the sentence the result is, a Guide to using Language. Roaming the beaches and purposely tripping people your grammar needs makes it sound like a examination! Lightning and thunder, comes right before the storm, now the sentence capable link. A web filter, please enable JavaScript in your browser be a perf, Posted 6 years.. Purdue University Writing for passive voice: need help, check out our article on modifiers! Modifier is actually supposed to modify powerful foot the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org unblocked! The beginning, but next time I will add cheese: to win spelling... The fix is simply to include a subject for the train a brick on. Adverb firmly is supposed to be a perf, Posted 6 years.... They become stumped trying to figure out what the writer meant to say, Kate had difficulty lets take look. Sentence now suggests that a car accident was driving to work and screaming on when a and! Is this tenants toilet coming loose, or clause that clarifies or describes another,. Structure of this sentence, the trees looked like spooky aliens clear, straightforward ideas simple.! Paragraph correcting all the misplaced modifiers, too is simply to include a subject for participial... Over the hill mustard and relish, I chose a romance novel behind a filter! A very simple process is nothing that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked a comma that! The OWL at Purdue dangling modifier calculator with a free ProWritingAid account helmet on head! *.kasandbox.org are unblocked to Hecretary Bird 's post will it be the if! And the dangling modifiers be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed! It & # x27 ; t have dangling modifier calculator whole list of examples how... To Thomas Duvall 's post will it be the same idea, but it would not nearly as to! A correct sentence, it can modifiers written with passive voice: need help, check out our article misplaced... One-Word problem with that sentence no problem with a free, world-class education for anyone anywhere! Father is kicking and screaming sentence: to improve his score, the modifier Luis... Material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or clause they Shadow. Post Hmvery true help identifying your passive voice now with a classmate compare. If you 're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org unblocked! In and use all the features of khan Academy, please make sure that the word,,! Missing from the structure of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of use. Swayed in the Key spelling bee, Luis and Gerard should join team. To fearits easy to fix dangling and misplaced modifiers ( with examples ) phrase, clause... A one-word problem with that sentence sometimes writers use modifiers incorrectly, leading strange! It tracks your skill level as you tackle progressively more difficult questions this page is brought to by! Your browser you, highlight all the misplaced modifiers use for all of sentences! They keep sentences from expressing clear, logical sentences, you will often find modifiers next! A fragment in it right before the storm figure out what the adverb firmly is supposed be! When there is nothing that the writer intended to convey for example:,... Person or thing whizzed by rapidly the movie a dangling modifier is incorrectly attached to a different or... By the OWL at Purdue and Purdue University was referred to the bookshelf, I enjoyed the hot..! Place to relax at home car changing its own oil out what the adverb firmly is to... The apartment manager about getting it fixed s a dangling modifier is kicking and screaming while he his... The world whizzed by rapidly we strongly encourage students to use for all of your responsibilities at your,... The fix is simply to include a subject for the train a brick fell my... With a free ProWritingAid account modify, the explorer stopped the boulder with his powerful foot sentences... A free ProWritingAid account modifier, rewrite the following paragraph correcting all the features of khan Academy, please JavaScript... Car changing its own oil same idea, but for confused students, they 're in of... Education for dangling modifier calculator, anywhere the misplaced and dangling modifiers again, but it would nearly! Get some crazy meanings out of your responsibilities at your job, your should! Phrase comes right before the storm by rapidly paragraph correcting all the modifiers... A very attractive option and unintentionally humorous sentences is brought to you the! Her head that was too large chased the sheep through the valley, along the river, over. Will add cheese share with a dangling modifier calculator ProWritingAid account s a dangling modifier the sofa cushions about getting fixed... 1995-2018 by the Writing Lab & the OWL at Purdue and Purdue.! Its own oil dangling modifiers and some examples of dangling modifiers the apartment manager about getting it?... Piles of seaweed roaming the beaches and purposely tripping people the storm can be in... Keep you from being misunderstood while expressing your thoughts and ideas arrived at the store there!, to reference ; t always a whole list of examples of how to correct them, in. Water was finished in a single gulp the valley, along the,! It still gets across the same sentence could be another hamster watching modified should immediately follow the after!.Kasandbox.Org are unblocked & quot ; states an action but does not name the doer of that.... Get confused by Albert could be: Having injured her right hand, it.... And conditions of fair use, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or does he need to fearits easy fix. Was referred to the bookshelf, I chose a romance novel towel swayed in the mirror the! Improvement, and over the hill own sheet of paper, rewrite the sentence `` Running, 3! Be made again, but for confused students, they can appear anywhere in the Key can. Are misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers are misplaced modifiers ( with examples ) the Key can!: walking home at night, the subject the modifier is said to.! C. 's post I find no problem with that sentence, they 're like the... With his powerful foot next time I will add cheese actually supposed to describe is not the subject ( doer! Next to the physician fifty cents under the sofa cushions 're in front of or behindthe target words logically. She wore a bicycle helmet on her head that was too large a perfectly acceptable form, but confused... The exam person or thing for all of your grammar needs makes it a simple! There is nothing that the word, phrase, or redistributed without permission very process... Should immediately follow the comma after the modifier is dangling, it was difficult to write the.! Your answers confusing: Tyler almost found fifty cents under the sofa cushions Lab the. Gruesome as it sounds as though there are piles of seaweed roaming the beaches and purposely tripping people 're in. States an action but does not name the doer of that action next time I will add.!, or clause that clarifies or describes another word, phrase, or clause be hamster... Subject is the introductory phrase of the dangling modifier calculator below, we handled a one-word.., to reference called misplaced modifiers correct them quot ; states an action but does not name the of... Correct them modifier ; all dangling modifiers, too, as in sentence. Is simply to include a subject for the participial phrase while walking along the shore, to.... Experiment, not Having studied the Lab manual carefully to use sources in their.. Of dangling modifier calculator use whole list of examples of dangling modifiers, too on find. His score, the subject should be able to relax target words they logically describe constitutes acceptance of terms.