RULES OF THUMB FOR
DANGLING AND
MISPLACED MODIFIERS
From Real Good Grammar,
Too
by Mamie Webb Hixon
Created by April Turner
Dangling Modifiers
are words or phrases which
“dangle” because they have
no word in the sentence to
describe:
While taking a shower, the
doorbell rang.
The doorbell was taking a
shower?
Revise dangling modifiers
by adding a headword—a noun or
pronoun that is described:
While I was taking a shower, the doorbell
rang.
OR
While taking a shower, I heard the doorbell
ring.
A Misplaced Modifier
is placed too close to
some other word that it
does not intend to modify:
I only speak one
language.
All you ever do is speak
one language?
Revise misplaced modifiers
by placing the modifier next to its
headword:
I speak only one language.
Split Infinitives
are misplaced modifiers which are
placed between the preposition to
and the verb in an infinitive--a
grammatical unit consisting of the
word to plus a verb (to eat, to sleep,
etc.):
Dentists encourage children to
regularly brush their teeth.
The modifier regularly is splitting the
infinitive to brush.
Revise split infinitives
by moving the modifier to another part of the
sentence:
Dentists encourage children to brush their
teeth regularly.
Squinting Modifiers
are misplaced modifiers
which seem to modify two
words:
Patty who was walking
quickly reached the club.
Is Patty walking quickly, or
is she quickly reaching the
club?
Revise squinting modifiers
by changing the word order so there is no
ambiguity:
Patty, who was quickly walking, reached
the club.
OR
Patty who was walking reached the club
quickly.
LET’S PRACTICE!!!
Having encountered this problem many times
before, the flat tire was easy for me to fix.
Having encountered this problem many times
before, I could fix the flat tire easily.
I only have classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
I have classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays
only.
LET’S PRACTICE A LITTLE
MORE!!!
In group situations, the people who participate
sometimes can be annoying when they don’t
know what they are doing.
…who participate can sometimes be annoying…
It is the citizens’ right to openly criticize the
government without fear of being harassed.
…right to criticize the government openly without
fear of being harassed.