Dangling modifiers are grammar mistakes that often make sentences accidentally funny. Once you see them, they're easy to fix.
What is a dangling modifier? #
A modifier is a word or phrase that describes something. It dangles when the thing it describes isn't in the sentence, so it attaches to the wrong word.
Walking to work, the rain started.
Who was walking? Not the rain. The sentence never says who was walking, so walking to work attaches to the rain.
The rule #
An opening phrase describes the subject that comes right after the comma.
Walking to work, I got caught in the rain. ✓
Two ways to fix it #
1. Put the right subject after the comma.
After reading the report, the answer was clear.After reading the report, I knew the answer.
2. Turn the phrase into a full clause.
While cooking dinner, the phone rang.While I was cooking dinner, the phone rang.
Misplaced modifiers #
A misplaced modifier is in the sentence, but in the wrong spot.
I only ate two cookies.(means: that's all I did with them) I ate only two cookies. (means: no more than two)
She served sandwiches to the guests on paper plates.She served the guests sandwiches on paper plates.
Keep a modifier right next to the word it describes.
More examples #
| Dangling | Fixed |
|---|---|
| Having finished the test, the students sat quietly. | |
| To get a refund, you must complete the form. | |
| As a new user, I found the app easy to learn. |
Let AI reword it #
AI Grammar Checker rewrites confusing sentences into clear ones. Check the same text again for a different paraphrase.