Dangling Modifier - Glossary of Terms
Dangling Modifier
A dangling modifier is an error caused by not placing the noun being modified next to its
modifier
(or failing to use the noun being modified in the sentence).
Example:
 Having seen
Blackpool Tower, the Eiffel Tower is more impressive.
  
modifier
the noun being modified
The example above intimates that the Eiffel Tower has seen the Blackpool
Tower. A correct version would be:
Having seen Blackpool Tower, I am more impressed with the Eiffel Tower.
This version is correct, because "I" is logically attached to
"Having seen Blackpool Tower". (Note: "I" is a pronoun:
a type of noun.)
Example:
Being born
in Dawlish, it is understandable that I miss the sea so much.
modifier
pronoun being modified
In this example, "it" was not born in Dawlish. Better versions would be:
Being born in Dawlish, I understand why I miss the sea so much.
As I was
born in Dawlish, it is understandable why I miss the sea so much.
("As I was born in Dawlish" is not
a modifier.)
Interactive example:
|
Having read your letter, my cat will
stay in until the birds fly off. [show me
the dangling modifier] |
|
|
Glossary of Grammatical Terms
