Misplaced and/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.​

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​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.​

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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Multiple Choice

Q. Does this sentence contain a misplaced modifier?

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

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Q. Does this sentence contain a misplaced modifier?

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

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Q. Does this sentence contain a misplaced modifier?

Walking to school, I tripped and fell.

• Yes

• No

What is a dangling modifier?​

​A word(s) with nothing to modify.

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Subject | Subject

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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

Q. Does this sentence have a dangling modifier?

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

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Q. Does this sentence have a dangling modifier?

Running across the lawn, the sprinklers went off.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Q. Does this sentence have a dangling modifier?

Without a second thought, Jeff bought the expensive car.

• Yes

• No

Open Ended

Q. Correct the sentence.

Speeding by quickly, the man saw a police car.

Open Ended

Q. Correct the sentence.

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