created by april turner rules of thumb for dangling and misplaced modifiers ms. simmons december...

Created by April Turner

RULES OF THUMB FOR DANGLING AND

MISPLACED MODIFIERS

Ms. Simmons

December ‘11

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.