Dangling Modifiers


Dangling Modifier is one of the most important grammar concepts in the SAT and the ACT.


What is wrong with this sentence?

Walking along the river, some fish were seen by him.


The phrase “Walking along the river” is a modifier (i.e., participle phrase).


Yet, it is placed right beside the subject "fish," and it sounds like the fish is walking.


However, "fish" cannot walk. This error is called Dangling Modifier.




To fix this error, we have to change the subject of the sentence and place the modifier as close as possible to the word it modifies.


Walking along the river, he saw some fish.





Let's take a look at more examples.


Example 1


One of the greatest plays of all time, Shakespeare wrote Othello.


Shakespeare cannot be one of the greatest plays of all time.

   
     *To correct this, we need to change the subject.

One of the greatest plays of all time, Othello was written by Shakespeare.



Example 2

Jack found his science books walking to school. Again, this sounds like books are walking to school. *Changing the position of the modifier is another way of fixing dangling modifier. Walking to school, Jack found his science books.


Also, remember that modifiers don't always have to come in the beginning. With the correct usage of commas, it can appear in the middle or end of a sentence.



 Walking around the classroom, the teacher motivated his students during class.

The teacher, walking around the classroom, motivated his students during class.

 The teacher motivated his students during class, walking around the classroom.


All of the sentences above are correct.






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