Background
- Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that describe the subject discussed in a sentence.
- A modifier must be placed directly next to the modified word; otherwise, it is misplaced or dangling. Consider the following example:
Carl Gustaf Verner, an author of passionately nationalistic novels, depicts Swedish life and traditions in his writing.
- A modifier must be placed directly next to the modified word; otherwise, it is misplaced or dangling. Consider the following example:
I. Dangling modifier
A Dangling modifier is a modifying word, phrase, or clause that does not sensibly modify any word in a sentence. With this type of error, no noun or pronoun exists in the sentence for the modifier to logically describe. Consider the following examples:
Dangling: After looking on every street in the neighborhood, the lost cat was found. (Who was looking for the cat?)
II. Misplaced modifier
A misplaced modifier is a phrase or clause that sounds awkward because it modifies the wrong word or group of words. The meaning of a sentence can be unclear if the modifier is misplaced, for example:
Unclear: The bats flew by the girls with sharply curved wings. The girls have wings! Clear: The bats, with sharply curved wings, flew by the girls. The bats have wings. Consider the following example: