This document discusses misplaced and dangling modifiers. A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is not placed next to the word it modifies. Examples are provided where the modifier is misplaced and the corrected versions. A dangling modifier has no word to logically modify, describing a word that does not appear in the sentence. Examples of dangling modifiers are given along with corrections by placing the subject within or after the opening word group.

2. Misplaced Modifier
A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or
clause that has landed in the wrong place in
the sentence. A modifier must be placed
next to the word it modifies.

3. Examples of Misplaced Modifier

George could not drive to work in his small
sports car with a broken leg. (Wrong)
With a broken leg, George could not drive to work
in his small sports car. (Correct)
Or
George with a broken leg could not drive to work
in his small sports car. (Correct)

4. Example of Misplaced Modifier

The toaster was sold to us by a charming
salesman with a money-back guarantee. (Wrong)
The toaster with a money-back guarantee was sold
to us by a charming salesman. (Correct)

5. Example of Misplaced Modifier

He nearly brushed his teeth for twenty
minutes every night. (Wrong)
He brushed his teeth nearly for twenty minutes
every night. (Correct)

6. Dangling Modifier
A dangling modifier has no word to logically
modify.
In
other
words,
the
modifier
describes a word that does not appear in the
sentence.

7. Example of Dangling Modifier

While reading the newspaper, my dog sat with
me on the steps. (Wrong)
While I was reading the newspaper, my dog sat
with me on the steps. (Correct)
Or
While reading the newspaper, I sat with my dog on
the steps. (Correct)

8. Example of Dangling Modifier

Shaving in front of the steamy mirror, the razor
nicked Tom’s chin. (Wrong)
Shaving in front of the steamy mirror, Tom nicked his
chin with the razor. (Correct)
Or
When Tom was shaving in front of the steamy mirror,
he nicked his chin with the razor. (Correct)

9. Two ways to correct a dangling modifier
1. Place the subject within the opening word
group.
Shaving in front of the steamy mirror, the razor
nicked Tom’s chin.
When Tom was shaving in front of the steamy
mirror, he nicked his chin with the razor.

10. 2.

Place the subject right after the opening
word group.
Shaving in front of the steamy mirror, the
razor nicked Tom’s chin.
Shaving in front of the steamy mirror, Tom
nicked his chin with the razor.