Dangling/Misplaced Modifiers Definition: A modifier, or modifying phrase, is a word or phrase that explains or describes a word. Dangling/misplaced modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that do not point clearly to the word or words they modify.

Example: Modifier misplaced: He is a short man with a bushy moustache weighing 200 pounds. What’s wrong with this sentence?

He is a short man with a bushy moustache weighing 200 pounds. This sentence suggests that the man’s moustache weighs 200 pounds! Here are clearer versions: He is a short man weighing 200 pounds and sporting a bushy moustache. He is a short man with a bushy moustache, and he weighs 200 pounds.

So, how do I fix them? Make sure modifiers are as close as possible to the word they are explaining or describing. Also, keep apart ideas that are not related.

Another example: I was told that Maurice broke the figurine by my mother. Problem: Was the figurine near her mother, or did her mother tell her about the figurine breaking? Fixes: My mother told me that Maurine broke the figurine. I was told by my mother that Maurine broke the figurine.

Another example Eating six corn dogs, nausea overwhelmed Jane. Problem: This sentence suggests that nausea ate six corndogs. Fix: Eating six corndogs, Jane felt overwhelmed with nausea. Nausea overwhelmed Jane after she ate six corndogs.