A dangling modifier is a modifier which is not placed closely enough to what it modifies or which modifies something which is not explicitly included in the sentence.

Solution:

Rearrange the sentence or add the missing words.

Avoid dangling participial phrases

Dangling: Walking down the street, the street lamps came on.

The placement of the participial phrase "walking down the street" implies that the street lamps were walking.

Correction: As we walked down the street, the street lamps came on.

or

Walking down the street, we noticed the street lamps come on.

Avoid dangling phrases containing gerunds.

Dangling: After looking out the window for hours, the storm passed.

Since there is no other noun phrase for it to modify, the gerund "looking" appears to modify "storm."

Correction: After looking out the window for hours, we saw that the storm had passed.

or

After we looked out the window for hours, the storm passed.

Avoid dangling infinitive phrases

Dangling: To wash the car, soap and water is needed.

There is no one in the above sentence who will wash the car.

Correction: To wash the car, you will need soap and water.

or

If you want to wash the car, you need soap and  water.

Elliptical Clauses

An elliptical clause is one in which the subject or verb is implied rather than stated. The subject of the clause has to be the same as the subject of the main clause or else it is dangling.

Dangling: While driving down the street, the car stalled.

Correction: While I was driving down the street, my car stalled.

or

While driving down the street, I stalled my car.

©Bainbridge High School, 9330 NE High School Road, Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110

04/09/99