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Dangling Modifiers

A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that does not connect with what it is intended to modify. It says something different from what is meant because a word or words are left out. The meaning of the sentence is left "dangling." Restate it and add the words it needs in order to make sense.

EXAMPLE:
Running down the street, the house was on fire.
REVISION #1:
When the man ran down the street, the house was on fire.
REVISION # 2:
Running down the street, the man saw the house was on fire.

Another type of dangling modifier is sometimes a called a MISPLACED MODIFIER. Here a phrase or word in a sentence is too far from the idea that it is supposed to modify. There's really no "dangling," the modifier is just in the wrong place.
EXAMPLE:
I had to take down the curtains cleaning the windows last week.
Place the modifying phrase "cleaning the windows" near or next to the word it is meant to modify: REVISION:
Cleaning the windows last week, I had to take down the curtains.

Creatively speaking, none of these sentences are particularly evocative or as clear as they could be. Most writers would probably alter them in different ways to achieve the best effect. However, Americans are particularly prone to dangling and misplacing their modifiers in everyday speech. Writing needs to be more precise. Knowing about modifiers can sometimes solve a problem you realize exists with a troublesome sentence, but can't quite figure out.

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