Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers Misplaced modifiers Modifiers need

Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

Misplaced modifiers • Modifiers need to be right next to the word they are describing or as close as possible. • If too much distance separates a modifier and its target, the modifier is misplaced.

Misplaced Modifiers

Misplaced Modifiers

Misplaced Modifiers

Misplaced Modifier The cops chased the bear in the squad car. According to this sentence, who is actually in the squad car?

The cops chased the bear in the squad car.

Misplaced modifier • Tonya made the mistake of walking her boisterous bulldog Bubba in high heels.

Misplaced Modifier • We tiptoed over the ice in our heavy boots, which had begun to crack.

Misplaced Modifier • The library has several books about dinosaurs in our school.

Misplaced Modifier • Mr. Reynold show a car to his daughter that had just come off the assembly line.

Dangling Modifiers

Dangling Modifiers A modifier must have a clear target in the sentence. If the sentence fails to include a target, the modifier is dangling.

Dangling Modifier • Who is waiting for the bus? • Because the modifier has no target, the modifier is called DANGLING.

Dangling Modifier Who is Walking Down The Moonlit Path?

We even see dangling modifiers in newspapers!

Dangling Modifiers • Reading a book, my cat crawled into my lap.

Dangling Modifiers • Thirsty and weary, the Oasis was a welcome sight.

Dangling Modifiers • Soaring through the sky, Brenda admired the jets.

Dangling Modifiers • While flying over the lake, the skyscrapers of Chicago appeared in the distance.