Select the misplaced or dangling modifier
Key notes:
A modifier is a word or phrase that modifies, or describes, another word or phrase.
A misplaced modifier is a modifier that appears to modify the wrong word or phrase because it is too far from the word or phrase that it should modify.
Winston saw hippos and giraffes on holiday in Kenya.
This sentence has a misplaced modifier. It wrongly suggests that the hippos and giraffes were on holiday.
On holiday in Kenya, Winston saw hippos and giraffes.
This sentence correctly suggests that Winston was on holiday.
A dangling modifier is a modifier that appears to modify the wrong word or phrase because the word or phrase that it should modify is missing from the sentence.
Trying to fall asleep, the sheets felt uncomfortably hot.
This sentence has a dangling modifier. It wrongly suggests that the sheets were trying to fall asleep.
Trying to fall asleep, I felt uncomfortably hot in the sheets.
This sentence correctly suggests that I was trying to fall asleep.
Learn with an example
1. ) Select the misplaced or dangling modifier.
- A squirrel monkey named Miss Baker had a striking number of fans, among the first animals to survive being launched into outer space.
Among the first animals to survive being launched into outer space is a misplaced modifier because it appears to modify fans. The sentence wrongly suggests that the fans were among the first animals to survive being launched into outer space.
A squirrel monkey named Miss Baker had a striking number of fans, among the first animals to survive being launched into outer space.
2. ) Select the misplaced or dangling modifier.
- The Moore kids slowly but surely managed to teach their golden retriever, Toffee, a variety of tricks using treats.
Using treats is a misplaced modifier because it appears to modify a variety of tricks. The sentence wrongly suggests that the tricks involved treats, rather than the Moore kids’ method of dog training.
The Moore kids slowly but surely managed to teach their golden retriever, Toffee, a variety of tricks using treats.
3. ) Select the misplaced or dangling modifier.
- Made with dark chocolate and peanut butter, Lucy’s mouth watered at the sight of the decadent dessert.
Made with dark chocolate and peanut butter is a misplaced modifier because it appears to modify Lucy’s mouth. The sentence wrongly suggests that Lucy’s mouth was made with dark chocolate and peanut butter.
Made with dark chocolate and peanut butter, Lucy’s mouth watered at the sight of the decadent dessert.
let’s practice!
