What is a Dangling Modifier and How to Fix it?

modifier clarifies or explains another clause, word, or phrase in a sentence. However, when the intended subject of the modifier is not present in the sentence, and another subject takes its place, it is called a dangling modifier or a hanging modifier.

A dangling modifier typically appears in the introductory phrase of a sentence but is linked to the incorrect word, clause, or phrase.

What is a Dangling Sentence

In general, a “dangling” sentence, phrase, or clause, is one that is not a complete sentence and requires something else to make it complete.

Dangling Modifier Example

How to Recognise a Dangling Modifier?

In a correct sentence, the doer or subject that is modified appears right after the comma. For example, the introductory phrase in the example below modifies the subject (Mike) of the main clause.

While meditating, Mike felt at peace like never before.

On the other hand, when the subject being modified is missing from the sentence, and another subject replaces it, the introductory phrase becomes a dangling modifier. A dangling modifier, in most cases, is a result of writing the main clause in the passive voice.

While meditating, peace was felt like never before.

In the above sentence, the modifier’s correct subject (Mike) is missing from the main clause. Because the word “peace” follows the modifier and takes the place of the correct subject, it appears as if “peace” was meditating.

The above example shows how a dangling modifier can result in meaningless sentences.

Fixing a Dangling Modifier

Here are the two most commonly used methods to fix dangling modifiers;

Method 1: Edit the Modifier Phrase

A simple method of fixing a dangling modifier is to add the subject in the introductory phrase of the sentence, without making any change to the main clause.

In the above example, the dangling modifier is fixed by including the subject in the introductory phrase, and so it gives a correct indication of who is performing the action.

Method 2: Edit the Main Clause

Another method to fix a dangling modifier is to revise the main clause rather than editing the introductory phrase, so the intended subject shows immediately after the comma in the main clause.

The dangling modifier in the above example rather overshadows the real subject who was injured, because the introductory phrase does not describe the intended subject. In the corrected sentence, the subject, John, appears right after the comma to give meaning to it.

Frequently Asked Questions