Dangling Modifiers
Common Core standard L.7.1.c
How modifiers can go wrong: dangling
Although dangling modifiers might seem merely misplaced, they don’t actually modify anything. The concept (usually a noun) that is supposed to be modified isn’t in the sentence at all. Most writers are able to figure out what the dangling modifier is supposed to connect to, especially in isolation. The trick is to recognize them in context, or ideally as you write.
Examples of dangling modifiers
Looking over the river, the trout’s splash startled Stuart. <- This makes it sound like the trout is looking of the river. Even though most of us can figure out that Stuart is looking over the river, the sentence is grammatically wrong.
Reading the book, the material confused the student. <- This makes it sound like the material is reading the book.
Driving home, the sun finally came out from behind the clouds. <- This makes it sound like the sun is driving home.
How to fix dangling modifiers
First, notice them! Take the time to reread your writing before you consider it finished. Dangling modifiers need the entire sentence to be rewritten. You can do this one of two ways.
Option 1: Leave the modifier at the start of the sentence, but make the second part of the sentence begin with what is being modified.
Option 2: Change the modifier to begin with a subordinating conjunction, thus making a subordinate clause.
Looking over the river, the trout’s splash startled Stuart. -> Looking over the river, Stuart was startled by the trout’s splash. ALTERNATIVELY: When Stuart looked over the river, a trout’s splash startled him.
Reading the book, the material confused the student. -> Reading the book, the student was confused by the material. ALTERNATVELY: When the student read the book, the material confused her.
Driving home, the sun finally came out from behind the clouds. -> Driving home, we saw the sun finally come out from behind the clouds. ALTERNATIVELY: When we were driving home, the sun finally came out from behind the clouds.