The Good,the Bad and the Dangling:

Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

What are modifiers?

Modifiers are a word or group of words that describes, limits, or qualifies the meaning of another group or phrase.

What are modifiers?

Modifiers can be a word, phrase, or a clause. Example: The silver fish (word) The fish in the pond (phrase) The fish that he caught (clause)

Misplaced Modifiers
A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word or clause it modifies or describes.

Misplaced Modifiers
Because of this separation, the meaning of the sentence is often awkward, ridiculous, illogical, or confusing.

Misplaced Modifiers
To correct misplaced modifiers, move it closer to the word it modifies.

Misplaced Modifiers
Example: On her way home, Jan found a gold mans watch. Correction: On her way home, Jan found a mans gold watch.

Misplaced Modifiers
Example: The waiter served a dinner roll to the woman that was well buttered.

Misplaced Modifiers
Correction: The waiter served a dinner roll that was well buttered to the woman.

Misplaced Modifiers
Example: Slithering through the wet grass, we watched the garden snake. Correction: We watched the garden snake slithering through the wet grass.

Thank you!