A modifier is meant to clarify or describe part of a sentence, but when it’s not placed correctly, it can confuse the reader. One of the most common issues is the dangling modifier, a descriptive phrase that has nothing clear to attach to. It “dangles” because the sentence is missing the word that the modifier is supposed to describe. This often leads to unclear or unintended meanings.
In this guide, you’ll learn what dangling modifiers are, why they matter, and how to fix them with simple, clear sentence revisions.
What Is a Dangling Modifier?
A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that introduces a sentence but doesn’t clearly relate to the subject that follows. The result is a sentence that may confuse the reader or suggest something unintended, often because the doer of the action is missing or unclear.
The modifier is said to “dangle” because it’s left without a proper word to modify.
Example:
Running to catch the bus, the backpack flew open.
(It sounds like the backpack was running.)
Running to catch the bus, Jenna’s backpack flew open.
(Still confusing—Jenna isn’t the subject here.)
As Jenna ran to catch the bus, her backpack flew open.
(This version makes the subject and action clear.)
Dangling modifiers often show up at the beginning of sentences and are usually participial or infinitive phrases that lack a logical subject. When that subject is missing or mismatched, the modifier has nothing to describe, and the sentence’s meaning becomes unclear.
Why Dangling Modifiers Cause Confusion
Dangling modifiers lead to confusion because they seem to describe the wrong subject, or no subject at all. When a sentence begins with a modifier, readers naturally expect that the subject right after it is the one doing the action. If that’s not the case, the sentence feels awkward, unclear, or unintentionally funny.
Example: Hiking up the mountain, the view was breathtaking.
This sentence is not grammatically correct because it’s an example of a dangling modifier. The opening phrase “Hiking up the mountain” is a participial phrase meant to describe who was hiking. But in the sentence, it’s followed by “the view was breathtaking,” which makes it sound like the view was hiking up the mountain, which doesn’t make sense.
You need to clarify who was doing the hiking. Here are a few corrected versions:
- Hiking up the mountain, I found the view breathtaking.
- As we hiked up the mountain, the view became breathtaking.
Writers often assume the subject is obvious, but if it’s not actually in the sentence, the meaning can shift. That’s why it’s important to always pair a modifier with the word it’s meant to describe.
Common Types of Dangling Modifiers
Dangling modifiers often appear at the beginning of a sentence, especially when writers use introductory phrases without clearly stating who is performing the action. These modifiers usually come in the form of participial phrases, infinitive phrases, or prepositional phrases that aren’t linked to a subject.
Participial Phrases
These phrases start with a verb ending in -ing or -ed and are meant to describe someone or something, usually the subject that follows.
Dangling Example:
Walking through the forest, the birds chirped loudly.
(It sounds like the birds were walking.)
Revised:
Walking through the forest, we heard the birds chirping loudly.
Infinitive Phrases
These begin with to + verb and express intent or purpose, but without a subject, they often dangle.
Dangling Example:
To complete the project on time, more resources were needed.
(Who needs to complete the project?)
Revised:
To complete the project on time, the team requested more resources.
Prepositional Phrases
Sometimes, prepositional phrases used as modifiers can dangle if the subject isn’t clearly stated.
Dangling Example:
After eating all the pizza, the box was thrown away.
(Did the box eat the pizza?)
Revised:
After eating all the pizza, Mark threw the box away.
Being aware of these common patterns can help you avoid dangling modifiers and write with more clarity.
How to Identify a Dangling Modifier
To spot a dangling modifier, focus on the introductory phrase and ask yourself:
Who or what is performing the action described?
If the sentence doesn’t answer that question clearly, the modifier is likely dangling.
Step-by-Step Approach:
- Find the modifying phrase at the beginning (or sometimes the end) of the sentence.
- Ask what noun the phrase is describing.
- Check whether that noun is actually in the sentence, and whether it’s placed next to the modifier.
Example:
After finishing the book, the lights were turned off.
What’s wrong?
The phrase “After finishing the book” implies that someone finished reading. But the sentence jumps to “the lights were turned off,” which isn’t the doer.
Corrected:
After finishing the book, she turned off the lights.
Quick Tip:
If a sentence begins with a phrase and the noun that follows can’t logically perform the action, it’s likely a dangling modifier.
How to Fix a Dangling Modifier
Fixing a dangling modifier means making sure the sentence includes the word that the modifier is supposed to describe, and placing it close enough for the meaning to be clear. In most cases, you’ll either need to add a subject or restructure the sentence.
Method 1: Add a Clear Subject
Dangling:
To win the competition, full focus was required.
(It’s unclear who needs to focus.)
Fixed:
To win the competition, the team needed full focus.
(Now the subject is clear.)
Method 2: Turn the Phrase into a Clause
Dangling:
While driving to work, the rain started pouring.
(This makes it sound like the rain was driving.)
Fixed:
While I was driving to work, the rain started pouring.
(The modifier now has a proper subject.)
Method 3: Restructure the Sentence
Dangling:
Reading the instructions carefully, the device was easy to assemble.
(This implies the device was reading.)
Fixed:
The device was easy to assemble after I read the instructions carefully.
In short, make sure the person or thing doing the action appears in the sentence and is placed right next to the modifier. This keeps your meaning clear and your writing smooth.
Dangling Modifier vs. Misplaced Modifier
Dangling and misplaced modifiers both lead to confusing sentences, but they are not the same.
A misplaced modifier is present in the sentence, but it’s too far from the word it’s supposed to describe. This placement can make the sentence unclear or unintentionally funny, but the modifier itself is still connected to a subject, just in the wrong spot.
A dangling modifier, on the other hand, has no subject at all. It introduces an action or description, but the sentence never clearly says who or what is doing it.
Comparison Example:
Misplaced:
She served sandwiches to the children on paper plates.
(Sounds like the children are on the plates.)
✔ She served sandwiches on paper plates to the children.
Dangling:
After finishing dinner, the dishes were washed.
(The sentence suggests the dishes finished dinner.)
✔ After finishing dinner, Jason washed the dishes.
Quick Tip:
- Misplaced modifier = wrong placement
- Dangling modifier = missing subject
FAQs About Dangling Modifiers
What is a dangling modifier?
A dangling modifier is a word or phrase, usually at the beginning of a sentence, that describes an action, but the sentence doesn’t clearly state who or what is doing that action. This creates confusion or unintended meanings.
How do dangling modifiers affect sentence clarity?
They leave the reader guessing about the subject of the action. Without a clear subject, the sentence may sound awkward or imply something you didn’t mean to say.
What causes a modifier to dangle?
Modifiers dangle when the subject they’re meant to describe is missing or placed too far away. This often happens when writers assume the meaning is obvious, even though it’s not stated.
How do you fix a dangling modifier?
To fix it, either add the missing subject or restructure the sentence so that the modifier is placed directly next to the noun it describes.
Are dangling modifiers always grammatically wrong?
Yes, in formal and academic writing, dangling modifiers are considered incorrect because they make the sentence unclear. In informal speech or storytelling, they may appear, but they’re best avoided for clarity.