1. Chapter 24: Dangling and Misplaced
Modifiers

2.  One or more words that change (identify or describe)
another word (noun or pronoun) in the sentence.
 The yellow bird was sitting on the lamp post.
 The toddler walked sadly from the playground.
 Grasping the rock tightly, the climber made it to the top of the
mountain.
 Damaged in the accident, the radio needed to be replaced.
 To avoid confusion, modifiers should be placed as
closely as possible to the noun or pronoun it is
modifying.
 Preferably directly before or after the word it is modifying.
 If it is unclear what word is being modified, writers deal with
dangling, misplaced, or confusing modifiers.

3.  A dangling modifier is created when the word that is
being modified is not in the sentence.
 Often a dangling modifier can occur when a modifier is placed
at the beginning of a sentence.
 Dangling modifiers occur in sentences that neglect to include
the subject ( noun/ pronoun) that is being modified.
 Completing the film, a vacation was taken.
 Note: Passive voice
 Add a subject: Completing the film, he took a vacation.
 Compelled by the story, a film was created.
 Note: Passive voice
 Add a subject: Compelled by the story, the director created a
film.
 Note: Dangling modifiers frequently occur when passive voice
is used.

4.  Change the sentence from passive to active voice
 Add in the subject (noun/ pronoun) that should be modified
 How would you correct these dangling modifiers?
 Living in England, traveling was done a lot.
 Correct: Living in England, I did a lot of travelling.
 Ready to go, the car was started.
 Correct: Ready to go, the father started the car.
 Proud and satisfied, the award was received.
 Correct: Proud and satisfied, the author received the award.

5. Part of practice exercise check #5

6. Part of practice exercise check #5

7.  Modifiers are easiest to follow when they are placed right before
or after the word they are modifying. A misplaced modifier appears
to be modifying (changing) the wrong word because it is in the
wrong place.
 Misplaced: I answered the door dressed in a monster costume.
 The door was wearing a monster costume?
 Correct: Dressed in a monster costume, I answered the door.
 Correct: I, dressed in a monster costume, answered the door.
 Michael was darting from the runner trying to win the race.
 Was Michael or the runner trying to win the racer?
 Correct: Michael, trying to win the race, was darting from the runner.
 Correct: Trying to win the race, Michael was darting from the runner.
 Correct: Michael was darting from the runner, who was trying to win the race.
 Splashing in a cool mud bath, Mr. Phelps scratched the back of the prize pig.
 Was Mr. Phelps or the pig in a cool mud bath?
 Correct: Mr. Phelps scratched the back of the prize pig splashing in a cool mud
bath.

8.  To correct misplaced modifiers, move the modifier as close
as possible to the subject (noun or pronoun) it is
modifying.
 Make sure the correct subject (noun/ pronoun) is being
modified.
 How would you correct these misplaced modifiers?
 Tina was going to the grocery store dressed in a formal gown.
 Correct: Dressed in a formal gown, Tina was going to the grocery store.
 The cat waited by the door wondering when it would open.
 Correct: Wondering when it would open, the cat waited by the door.
 Climbing to the top of the mountain, the horizon was seen by Paul.
 Correct: Climbing to the top of the mountain, Paul saw the horizon.
 Revised and completed, the author published the book.
 Revised and completed, the book was published by the author.

9. Part of practice exercise check #5

10. Additional packet: Parallelism Packet
 Found in Course Materials, on Blackboard.
Due Tuesday, Oct. 2