ENGLISH 9 REVIEWER

MISPLACED & DANGLING MODIFIERS

Dangling Modifiers (dm)

A dangling modifier is a modifier that does not
relate sensibly to any word in the sentence. A
modifier or a modifying phrase that begins a
sentence must be followed closely by the word it is
meant to describe.
(dm) Example:
X While driving to the vet’s office, my dog jumped
out of the car.
Huh? Who was driving the car?
Correct
While I was driving to the vet’s office, my dog
jumped out of the car.
Also correct:
While driving to the vet’s office, I saw my dog jump
out of the car.
(dm) Example
X Asked to give an autograph, we were
disappointed by the player’s refusal.
Who was asked to give an autograph?
Correct:
Asked to give an autograph, the player
disappointed us because he refused.
Also correct:
When the player was asked to give an autograph,
we were disappointed that he refused.
TIPS FOR SPOTTING DANGLING MODIFIERS
Dangling modifiers almost always include
action verbs.
- In the previous examples, one modifier
includes the word driving, and the other
includes the verb asked.
Not all dangling modifiers occur at the
beginnings of sentences, but many of them do.
In the following pairs, one sentence is correct, and
the other sentence has a misplaced or dangling
modifier.
A) Biking down the hill, my tire deflated.
B) As I was biking down the hill, my tire deflated.
A) Biking down the hill, my tire deflated.
B) As I biked down the hill, my tire deflated.
Answer A is incorrect because my tire was not
biking down the hill.
A) Jack bought a spotted horse for his sister
named Polka Dot.
B) Jack bought a spotted horse named Polka Dot
for his sister.
A) Jack bought a spotted horse for his sister named
Polka Dot.
B) Jack bought a spotted horse named Polka Dot
for his sister.
Answer A is incorrect. The horse, not Jack’s
sister, was named Polka Dot.
DANGLING PARTICIPLE PHRASE:
Smoking my cigar, a fire engine came roaring
around the corner
Revision 1: As I was smoking my cigar, a fire
engine came roaring around the corner.

HOW TO CHECK FOR DANGLING MODIFIERS
1. Find the modifier.
2. Find the word, phrase, or clause it modifies.
3. Make sure the modifier is as close as possible
to the word, phrase, or clause it modifies.
4. If the modifier has nothing to modify, add or
change words so that it does.
(dm) Example
Revision 2: Smoking my cigar, I saw a fire engine
roaring around the corner.
DANGLING GERUND PHRASE:
After drilling my tooth, my cavity stopped aching.
Revision 1: After the dentist drilled my tooth, my
cavity stopped aching.

While walking home, a car honked at me. Revision 2: After drilling my tooth, my dentist
stopped my cavity from aching.
Step one: Find the modifier.
The modifier is while walking home. DANGLING INFINITIVE PHRASE:
Step two: Find the word, phrase, or clause it
modifies. To become a physician, aptitude and hard work are
The modifier cannot logically modify a car. needed.
Step three: Give the modifier something to modify.
Who or what can it modify? Revision: To become a physician, one needs to
have aptitude and to work hard.
Correct:
While I was walking home, a car honked at me.
In this case, it would be appropriate to insert “I” for
the modifier to modify.
Rewrite the sentences to fix the dangling
modifiers.
1. After writing the paper, the thesis remains
unsupported.
2. Given praise by his teachers, his attitude
became unbearable.
3. Not having followed the recipe closely, the cake
was a disaster
4. In examining his argument closely, the point at
which he went wrong can be seen.
5. Polite and respectful, the visiting teacher was
impressed with the children’s manners.
6. Before reaching the age of sixteen, driving a car
was my favorite reverie.
7. Driving over the hill, the ocean came into view.
8. Confused by complicated wording, the contract
made no sense.
9. After clearing his throat, his voice sounded
much better to me.
10. Writing carefully, the essay was finished in time
to hand in.

DIRECTIONS: Write C if the sentence is correct

and DM if the sentence contains a dangling
modifier.
1. Studying the assignment carefully, several
problems became obvious.
2. Written in secret code, Ted had to decipher the
message before he could understand it.
3. Intended to provide relaxation, the music
seemed to distract my attention when I took a test.
4. As a child, my parents gave me many elaborate
and expensive gifts.
5. Hampered by strong winds, I was unable to row
the boat to shore.
6. Walking home from the store, the grocery bag
broke and slipped from my arms.
7. To prepare this meal, only a few ingredients are
needed.
8. While driving down the highway, a deer jumped
in front of the car.
9. My cat slept in my lap while writing my essay for
English.
10. Having cleaned the kitchen, the house was in
order again.
Directions: Rewrite the sentences so fix the
dangling modifiers.
1. Lost in a dense forest, my head began to ache,
and I felt absolutely alone.
2. To be hired for this job, an application must be
submitted to Mr. Dela Cruz.
3. Having completed her finals, a summer road trip
was planned.
4. Having finished dinner, the plate was emptied.
5. While sleeping, the house caught on fire.