What is a Dangling Modifier?

Definition, I am able to read the regulations; therefore, the Examples of Squinting Modifiers:
Examples of Dangling Modifiers modifier is no longer “dangling” but
Dangling participle definition: A dangling appropriately placed and modifying the word Running in circles rapidly made me dizzy.
modifier is a type of misplaced modifier that that follows it The problem here is that the adverb “rapidly”
modifies a word or phrase that is not clearly What’s Wrong with Misplaced Modifiers? could modify the phrases “running in circles” or
stated in a sentence. Dangling modifiers are dangling modifier exampleOne of the obvious “made me dizzy”
also called dangling participles. problems with misplaced modifiers is that they Is it that I was running in circles rapidly?
can change the meaning of sentences. This is Or is it that I was made dizzy rapidly?
What is a Dangling Modifier? clear in the above examples, where we have a As with most modifiers, squinting modifiers can
A dangling modifier is a type of misplaced dog “reading” park regulations. be fixed by changing the location of the
modifier. A dangling modifier is misplaced modifier in question.
because it does not have anything to modify.
The word or words a dangling modifier should For example,
modify have been omitted from the sentence. For this reason, it is important to be very clear Rapidly running in circles made me dizzy.
which words a modifier describes. Let’s go over Summary: What are Dangling Modifiers?
Dangling modifiers make unclear the meaning a few tips to avoid misplaced modifiers. Define dangling modifier: the definition of a
of a sentence. As you can see from the dangling modifier is a modifier that is not
following examples, the sentences should be Place modifiers only in sentences where: properly connected to the subject of a
restructured to include the words the modifiers sentence.
describe. they are grammatically correct
they do not add confusion In summary, a dangling modifier:
Dangling Modifier Examples they make clear which words they modify
Incorrect: Reading the regulations, the dog did Other Misplaced Modifiers is a type of misplaced modifier
not enter the park. Dangling modifiers and dangling participles makes unclear which word or words it
“Reading the regulations” is a dangling aren’t the only kind of misplaced modifiers that modifies
modifier. confuse writers. There are two other primary is misplaced in that it modifies a word or
The dog cannot read the regulations; the categories: limiting modifiers and squinting words omitted from the sentence
word(s) that “reading the regulations” modifies modifiers. should be corrected to make the meaning of a
have been omitted. sentence clear
Correct: After reading the regulations, I did not Limiting Modifiers
enter the park with my dog. dangling modifiers examples What is a limiting
Incorrect: Understanding the daycare’s policies, modifier? Limiting modifiers express some sort
the baby waited for her mom. of “limit.” They should be placed directly before
The baby cannot understand the policies; the the word they modify in a sentence.
word(s) that “understanding the daycare’s
policies” modifies have been omitted The most common limiting modifiers are:
Correct: Understanding the daycare’s policies, almost, hardly, just, merely, nearly, and only.
the mother picked up her baby.
“Understanding the daycare’s policies” now Example of Limiting Modifiers:
modifies “mother”.
How to Fix Dangling Modifiers Trying to say that the only person who wants
grammar dangling modifiers Writers should dessert is David.
avoid constructing sentences with any type of
misplaced modifier, and sentences with Incorrect: David only wants dessert.
dangling modifiers should be restructured so Correct: Only David wants dessert.
that it is very clear which word or words the Trying to say that Scott does not know many
modifier describes. people.

Let’s correct the above example of a dangling Incorrect: Scott hardly knows anybody.
participle to show how you can correct dangling Correct: Scott knows hardly anybody.
modifiers in your sentences. Squinting Modifiers
Incorrect: dangling construction What is a squinting
Reading the regulations, the dog did not enter modifier? A squinting modifier is a word that
the park. describes but that is out of place. It is out of
“Reading the regulations” is a dangling place because it could modify the word or
modifier. phrase that comes before or after it.
The dog cannot read the regulations; the
word(s) that “reading the regulations” modifies Squinting modifiers can change the meaning of
have been omitted. sentences. This is because the intention of the
Correct: sentence is unclear. As a result, two different
sentences (or meanings) exist.
Reading the regulations, I did not take my dog
into the park. Squinting modifiers are usually adverbs.
“Reading the regulations” now modifies “I”