Learn on PengiElements of Language, 5th CourseChapter 10: Placement of Modifiers: Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

Lesson 1: Misplaced and Squinting Modifiers

In this Grade 8 grammar lesson from Elements of Language, 5th Course, students learn to identify and correct misplaced modifiers — words, phrases, and clauses that describe the wrong word in a sentence — and squinting modifiers, which ambiguously modify either of two words. The lesson covers how proper placement of modifying words, phrases, and clauses clarifies meaning and eliminates unintended or illogical descriptions. Students practice both skills through guided exercises using proofreading symbols to reposition misplaced and two-way modifiers in example sentences.

Section 1

Misplaced Modifiers

Definition

A misplaced modifier is a word or word group that describes the wrong word or word group in a sentence.

Explanation

Think of modifiers as descriptive words that need to be close friends with the word they are describing! When they get separated, the sentence can sound silly or confusing. To fix this, always place your modifying word, phrase, or clause as near as possible to the thing it's actually describing.

Examples

  • Anxious, the letter did not get to the soldiers. [The modifier Anxious is misplaced; it should describe soldiers, not letter.]
  • The dog chased the squirrel up the tree, which had a bushy tail. [The adjective clause which had a bushy tail should modify squirrel, not tree.]
  • I found the keys on the counter that I thought were gone. [The adjective clause that I thought were gone should modify keys, not counter.]

Section 2

Squinting Modifiers

Definition

Avoid misplacing a modifying word, phrase, or clause so that it seems to modify either of two words. Such a misplaced modifier is often called a squinting, or a two-way, modifier.

Explanation

A squinting modifier is confusing because it's stuck between two possible words it could describe, making your reader guess its true meaning. Your job is to be the traffic director and move the modifier to a spot where its meaning is perfectly clear, usually at the beginning or end.

Examples

  • The coach announced before the practice several drills were changed. [The sentence now clearly says that the coach announced, before the practice began, that several drills were changed.]
  • My friend told me last week she saw the new movie. [Did she tell you last week, or did she see the movie last week?]
  • CLEAR: Last week, my friend told me she saw the new movie.
  • CLEAR: My friend told me she saw the new movie last week.

Section 3

Dangling Modifiers

Definition

A dangling modifier is a modifier that does not clearly and sensibly modify any word or word group in the sentence.

Explanation

This modifier is left “dangling” because the word it's supposed to describe is missing from the sentence! This often happens at the beginning of a sentence. To fix it, you must rewrite the sentence to add the person or thing that is actually performing the action.

Examples

  • After finishing the sketch, the painting was completed. [The adverb phrase After finishing the sketch doesn't modify anything. Who finished the sketch?]
  • The bicycle was returned to the shop, having realized the frame was too small. [The participial phrase having realized the frame was too small is dangling. Who realized the frame was too small?]
  • Barking excitedly, the sound came from the backyard. [This is dangling because the sound cannot bark. Who or what was barking?]

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Chapter 10: Placement of Modifiers: Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

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    Lesson 1: Misplaced and Squinting Modifiers

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    Lesson 2: Dangling Modifiers

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Section 1

Misplaced Modifiers

Definition

A misplaced modifier is a word or word group that describes the wrong word or word group in a sentence.

Explanation

Think of modifiers as descriptive words that need to be close friends with the word they are describing! When they get separated, the sentence can sound silly or confusing. To fix this, always place your modifying word, phrase, or clause as near as possible to the thing it's actually describing.

Examples

  • Anxious, the letter did not get to the soldiers. [The modifier Anxious is misplaced; it should describe soldiers, not letter.]
  • The dog chased the squirrel up the tree, which had a bushy tail. [The adjective clause which had a bushy tail should modify squirrel, not tree.]
  • I found the keys on the counter that I thought were gone. [The adjective clause that I thought were gone should modify keys, not counter.]

Section 2

Squinting Modifiers

Definition

Avoid misplacing a modifying word, phrase, or clause so that it seems to modify either of two words. Such a misplaced modifier is often called a squinting, or a two-way, modifier.

Explanation

A squinting modifier is confusing because it's stuck between two possible words it could describe, making your reader guess its true meaning. Your job is to be the traffic director and move the modifier to a spot where its meaning is perfectly clear, usually at the beginning or end.

Examples

  • The coach announced before the practice several drills were changed. [The sentence now clearly says that the coach announced, before the practice began, that several drills were changed.]
  • My friend told me last week she saw the new movie. [Did she tell you last week, or did she see the movie last week?]
  • CLEAR: Last week, my friend told me she saw the new movie.
  • CLEAR: My friend told me she saw the new movie last week.

Section 3

Dangling Modifiers

Definition

A dangling modifier is a modifier that does not clearly and sensibly modify any word or word group in the sentence.

Explanation

This modifier is left “dangling” because the word it's supposed to describe is missing from the sentence! This often happens at the beginning of a sentence. To fix it, you must rewrite the sentence to add the person or thing that is actually performing the action.

Examples

  • After finishing the sketch, the painting was completed. [The adverb phrase After finishing the sketch doesn't modify anything. Who finished the sketch?]
  • The bicycle was returned to the shop, having realized the frame was too small. [The participial phrase having realized the frame was too small is dangling. Who realized the frame was too small?]
  • Barking excitedly, the sound came from the backyard. [This is dangling because the sound cannot bark. Who or what was barking?]

Book overview

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Chapter 10: Placement of Modifiers: Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

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    Lesson 1: Misplaced and Squinting Modifiers

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    Lesson 2: Dangling Modifiers

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