Misplaced or Dangling Modifiers

What is a Misplaced Modifier?

A word or phrase that is incorrectly placed in a sentence. Usually, it is too far away from the word(s) it modifies.

EXAMPLE

I smelled the delicious dinner coming down the stairs.​

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NOTE: It looks like the dinner is coming down the stairs. 😄​

CORRECTED: Coming down the stairs, I smelled the delicious dinner.​

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EXAMPLE

Drinking water from the pond, Miranda saw the abandoned puppy.​

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NOTE: It looks like Miranda is drinking water from the pond. 😃

CORRECTED: Miranda saw the abandoned puppy drinking water from the pond.​

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​Covered in melted, gooey cheese, the chef carried out a delectable pizza.

​Hanging upside down in his closet, Brad had forgotten about his old tennis racket.

After being shrunk in the wash, Megan no longer fits into her favorite sweater.

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence contain a misplaced modifier?

A popular vacation spot for many families, people go to Disney World.

• YES

• NO

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence contain a misplaced modifier?

He threw the ball to the dog made of durable, blue rubber.

• YES

• NO

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence contain a misplaced modifier?

Walking to school, I tripped and fell.

• YES

• NO

What is a dangling modifier?

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A word(s) with nothing to modify.

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EXAMPLE​

​While eating dinner, the lights went out.

NOTE: Who's eating dinner?

CORRECTED: While eating dinner, ​Bill was surprised when the lights went out.

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EXAMPLE​

​Sitting on the porch, a mosquito bit me.

NOTE: Who's sitting on the porch?

CORRECTED: Sitting on the porch, I was bitten by a mosquito.

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Multiple Choice

Does this sentence have a dangling modifier?

Losing the game, the team walked sadly back to the dugout.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence have a dangling modifier?

Running across the lawn, the sprinklers went off.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence have a dangling modifier?

Without a second thought, Jeff bought the expensive car.

• Yes

• No

Open Ended

Correct the sentence.

Speeding by quickly, the man saw a police car.

Open Ended

Correct the sentence.

To make his parents happy, the trash had to be taken out daily.