1. Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
DOL Week 2
Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

2. What is Wrong? How do we fix it?
Jeff bought an old jeep from a crooked dealer with a faulty transmission.
Sam screamed at the barking dog in his underwear.
Frances nearly earned fifty dollars.

3. Modifiers What is a modifier?
An expression that limits or describes another word or phrase
Words, phrases, or subordinate clauses
Example: Little boats (little describes boats)

4. A Misplaced Modifier
is placed too close to some other word that it does not intend to modify:
I only speak one language.
All you ever do is speak one language?

5. Wait, there are homeless people in the senate?
Revising Misplaced Modifiers Move the modifier next to the word it is actually modifying
There was a debate on the bill to provide financial aid to homeless people in the senate.
There was a debate in the senate on the bill to provide financial aid to homeless people.
Wait, there are homeless people in the senate?

6. What is wrong? How do we fix it?
On her way home, Jan found a gold man’s watch.
The dealer sold the Cadillac to the buyer with leather seats.
The waiter served a dinner roll to the woman that was well buttered.

7. What is wrong? How do we fix it?
Hoping it would rain, the umbrella was brought by Ann.
Always eager for cake, the birthday party was attended by everyone.
Forgetting that the microphone was on, the whole audience heard the singer's fight with his wife.