Misplaced and Dangling Modifier

Sam An Teng

A modifier is word or a group of words which adds information or describes other word, phrase, or clause in a sentence. The basic modifier is an adjective or adverb. Modifier can also be  a phrase or clause acting as an adjective or adverb.


[1]  MISPLACED MODIFIER

A misplaced modifier appears to modify the wrong word or group of words.

Solution: Place the modifying phrase as close as possible to the word or group of words it modifies.

For examples,

• The man with the red cover chose the book.

Explanation: "with red cover" is a prepositional phrase functioning as adjective. When placing after "the man", it tells that the man has the red cover; it is the book which has red cover. We correct it by placing the modifying phrase next to the noun it modifies.
 
Correction: The man chose the book with red cover. Or The man chose the book which has red cover.

• The policeman who has no driving license fines a driver.

Explanation: "who has no driving license" is an adjective clause; here it tells that the "policeman" has no driving license, which is wrong in meaning. We correct it by placing the modifying clause next to the noun it modifies, "a man".

Correction: The policeman fines a man who has no driving license.
 


[2]  DANGLING MODIFIER

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

Solution: Add or replace words to make the meaning of the sentence clear.

For examples,

• Having robbed a bank, the police arrested him.

Explanation: It is the suspect or robber who robbed the bank, not the police. But when we place the the phrase "having robbed a bank" next to the "the police", it tells that the police had robbed a bank -- causing the wrong meaning. We correct it by adding more words, especially subject, to the modifying phrase.

Correction: After the man had robbed a bank, the police arrested him.

• Been stolen, the man is looking for his car.

Explanation: It is the car which has been stolen,  not the man. But when we place the the phrase "been stolen" next to the "the man", it tells that the man has been stolen-- causing the wrong meaning . We correct it by adding more words, especially subject, to the modifying phrase and replace some words.

Correction: After the car has been stolen, the man is looking for it.

• Overspending, his wife complaints him.

Explanation: It is the husband who has overspent,  not his wife. But when we place the the phrase "overspending" next to the "his wife", it tells that his wife has been overspending-- causing the wrong meaning . We correct it by adding more words, especially subject, to the modifying phrase and replace some words.

Correction: As he has overspent, his wife complaints him.

• Found copying from others, the teacher disqualified him.

Explanation: It is the student's work which had been found copying from others, not the teacher. But when we place the the phrase "found copying from others" next to the "the teacher", it tells that the teacher had been found copying from others-- causing the wrong meaning . We correct it by adding more words, especially subject, to the modifying phrase and replace some words.

Correction: After his research paper had been found copying from others, the teacher disqualified him.
 


[3]  PRACTICE

A) Correct the sentences with misplaced modifier below. 

1. The entrepreneur is lecturing students who has experienced running few businesses.
2. I sent a book to my friend which was a bestselling.
3. The audience listened to speaker with open mouth.
4. The invitation was sent to me by post on the table.
5. My friend bought a phone from a shop with hardware deffects. 

B) Correct the sentences with dangling modifiers below: 

6. Having problem with spyware, my friend formatted his computer.
7. Written for one year, he published his book.
8. Eating breakfast, his cat broke a glass.
9. Upon finishing the course, her father asked her to work in his company.
10. While playing card, the police arrived.