Misplaced, dangling, squinting modifiers

1. Misplaced & Dangling & Squinting
Modifiers

2. A Modifier is . . .
. . . A word or phrase that
changes, or modifies, a
part of a sentence.
(In middle school we called modifiers
adjectives and adverbs)

3. Misplaced Modifiers
Misplaced modifiers are words/phrases that are not
close to what they modify.
I read that there was a big fire in yesterday’s paper.
(implies the paper was on fire)
I read in yesterday’s paper that there was a big fire.

4. A Misplaced Modifier is . . .
. . . A word or phrase that
is put into a sentence, but
modifies the wrong thing.

5. Misplaced Modifiers
Misplaced modifiers are words/phrases that are not
close to what they modify.
Mark and Judy returned yesterday from their trip to
Europe by plane.
(“by plane is modifying “Europe” rather than “returned”)
Mark and Judy returned by plane yesterday from
their trip to Europe.

6. A Dangling Modifier is . . .
. . . A word or phrase
that is put into a
sentence, but modifies
the wrong thing.

7. Dangling Modifiers
Dangling modifiers fail to refer logically to any word
in the sentence. (what comes after the comma
must modify what comes before the comma)
At the age of ten, my parents took me on my first
roller coaster ride.
(implied the parents are ten)
When I was ten, my parents took me on my first
roller coaster ride.
.

8. Dangling Modifiers
Dangling modifiers fail to refer logically to any word
in the sentence. (what comes after the comma
must modify what comes before the comma)
After eating a Big Mac, my stomach started to hurt.
(implied that my stomach ate the Big Mac)
After I ate a Big Mac, my stomach started to hurt.
.

9. Dangling Modifiers
Dangling modifiers fail to refer logically to any word
in the sentence. (what comes after the comma
must modify what comes before the comma)
After going through the house, it was clear that the
robbers were gone.
(Does not indicate who went through the house.)
After the police went through the house, it was
clear the robbers were gone.

10. A Squinting Modifier is . . .
. . . A word or phrase
that seems to modify
two words at the same
time.

11. Squinting Modifiers
A word or phrase that seems to modify two words
at the same. This can cause confusion
Students who review researching skills often will
benefit.
(Is it often they review or often benefit?)
Students who review researching skills are the
ones who often benefit.
OR
Students who often review researching skills are
the ones who will benefit.
.

12. Misplaced Parts
Modifiers can be misplaced. These words:
• only
• just
• even
• hardly
• merely
Should be placed immediately before the words they
modify.
My mother only works on Saturdays and Sundays.
This sentence indicates that the mother only WORKS – she does not
eat, sleep, or talk.

13. Misplaced Parts
Correct:
My mother works only on Saturdays and Sundays.

14. Imagine
Clothes are worn to modify or
to change appearance. But
what if they are misplaced or
are dangling?

15. Imagine

16. Imagine
The results are often
ridiculous and inappropriate.
Here are a few examples of
misplaced modifiers in action:

17. Ripped from student
essays
The cops chased the bear in the squad car.

18. Ripped from student
essays
Covered in whipped cream, I was excited to eat
the ice cream sundae.

19. Ripped from student
essays
Charlotte wore a silver
woman’s necklace.
(Misplaced adjective)

20. Ripped from student
essays
I’m looking for a small table for my kid with
short legs.

21. Ripped from student
essays
The man aimed the gun that he had hidden
under the bed quickly. (Modifying adverb)
Source: https://www.kibin.com/grammar-rules-blog/misplaced-modifier-grammar/

22. Imagine
The results are often
ridiculous and inappropriate.
Here are a few examples of
misplaced modifiers in action:

23. Best Misplaced & Dangling
Modifiers of All Time
Oozing slowly across the floor, Marvin
watched the salad dressing.
Waiting for the Moonpie, the candy machine
began to hum loudly.
I smelled the oysters coming down the stairs
for dinner.

24. Best Misplaced & Dangling
Modifiers of All Time
I brushed my teeth after eating with Crest
toothpaste.
Grocery shopping at Big Star, the lettuce was
fresh.
Holding a bag of groceries, the roach fewl
out of the cabinet..

25. Best Misplaced & Dangling
Modifiers of All Time
I saw the dead dog driving down the
interstate.
Freshly painted, Jim left the room to dry.
After drinking too much, the toilet kept moving.
Source: Writing Center Wisconsin University

26. Check yourself
Correct these misplaced, dangling, or
squinting modifiers. Click for correct answer:
My sister only has two children.
My sister has only two children.

27. Check yourself
Correct these misplaced, dangling, or
squinting modifiers. Click for correct answer:
The little girl screamed at the library at her
mother.
At the library, the little girl screamed at her
mother.

28. Check yourself
Correct these misplaced, dangling, or
squinting modifiers. Click for correct answer:
I held the ticket tightly in my hand that my
friend gave me.
I held the ticket that my friend gave me tightly
in my hand.

29. Check yourself
Correct these misplaced, dangling, or
squinting modifiers. Click for correct answer:
Driving west, the scenery was beautiful.
Driving west, they saw beautiful scenery.

30. Check yourself
Correct these misplaced, dangling, or
squinting modifiers. Click for correct answer:
To survive in this heat, you must water your
plants daily.
To survive in this heat, new plants must be
watered daily.

31. Grammar Grips
“Get a Grip on Grammar”
©2015 Lisa M. Russell,