English Support Skills
What on earth is a dangling modifier?
If you are ever in need of an impressive conversation topic, how about this: "Do you know what a dangling modifier is?" You'll be surprised how many crazy ideas people come up with. You might also not be invited to another party.
However, to solve the mystery for you:
A dangling modifier is generally a phrase that describes something that has been left out of the sentence. This can confuse the reader, lead to misunderstandings and be at times very, very funny. To modify something means to give more information about a word or phrase.
Here are some examples to explain what that means.
Try to work out who is or does what in these sentences. If you are confused, you see what havoc those dangling modifiers can create.
- While playing with the golden ball, the frog fell in love with the princess.Who is playing with the ball?)
- Being wet, green and warty, the princess gave the frog the kiss he needed so badly. (What does the princess look like?)
- Sitting next to her plate during dinner, the princess could hardly eat anything. (Where does the princess sit?)
- Even when sleeping, the frog wouldn't leave her alone. (What exactly are the sleeping arrangements?)
Do you get the idea? Most people don't write this kind of sentences on purpose, but they happen quite frequently. Yet, there is good news.
You can correct a dangling modifier by inserting the noun or pronoun in the sentence that the modifier (the additional information) describes. That way the modifier stops dangling, and it becomes clear who or what the information relates to.
Here are some examples:
- While the princess was playing with the golden ball, the frog fell in love with her.
- Even though the frog was wet, green and warty, the princess gave the frog the kiss he needed so badly.
- With the frog sitting next to her plate during dinner, the princess could hardly eat anything.
- Even when the princess was sleeping in her bed, the frog wouldn't leave her alone.
The main thing to remember is to check your sentences carefully. Just because you know what you want to say, it doesn't mean the reader does.