Sentence Structure Handout 036 036

Modifiers – Misplaced & Dangling Key

Misplaced Modifiers Modifying words or groups of words that open
Misplaced modifiers are words that, because of a sentence should be followed as closely as
their placement, confuse the meaning of a possible by the word that they describe.
sentence. Words should be placed as closely as
Examples:
possible to what they describe.
Examples: Dangling modifier
While sleeping soundly, the alarm clock
Misplaced modifier awakened Mary.
The students could see the shuttle launch from Correct
the school. While sleeping soundly, Mary was awakened by
Correct the alarm clock.
From the school, the students could see the Explanation
shuttle launch. It was not the alarm clock that was sleeping
Explanation soundly.
The shuttle did not launch from the school.
Dangling modifier
Misplaced modifier Swinging from a giant tire, the tourists were
We had a pizza after the movie that was delighted by the gorilla.
delicious. Correct
Correct Swinging from a giant tire, the gorilla delighted
After the movie, we had a pizza that was the tourists.
delicious. Explanation
Explanation It was not the tourists who were swinging from
It was not the movie that was delicious. a giant tire.

Dangling modifier
Misplaced modifier Walking through the woods, ticks covered my
She returned the fruit to the market that was ankles.
spoiled. Correct
Correct Walking through the woods, I discovered ticks
She returned the fruit that was spoiled to the covering my ankles.
market. Explanation
Explanation It was not ticks walking through the woods.
It was not the market that was spoiled.

Dangling modifier
Misplaced modifier After working hard all day in the sun, a cold
He bought a doughnut from the bakery filled drink tasted good.
with jelly. Correct
Correct After working hard all day in the sun, we were
He bought a doughnut filled with jelly from the ready for a cold drink.
bakery. Explanation
Explanation The drink did not work hard all day in the sun.
It was not a bakery filled with jelly.
Dangling Modifiers Many of the modifiers in the following examples
are misplaced, distorting the writer’s intended

Modifiers – Misplaced & Dangling – Handout 036 Answer Key (Sept. 2019; ASC Eng/Read) Page 1
meaning of the sentences. If the sentence contains Most of the modifiers in the following sentences
a misplaced modifier, label it MM and under- are dangling because they do not really modify
line the misplaced modifier. If the sentence is anything in the sentence. If the sentence contains
correct, label it C. a dangling modifier, label it DM and underline
the dangling modifier. If the sentence is
MM 1. The students watched the bears correct, label it C.
looking through binoculars.
DM 1. Sealed in an envelope, I couldn’t
MM 2. She saw a roach opening the read the message.
refrigerator door.
DM 2. Wading into the stream, a snake
MM 3. Tickets have gone on sale for the swam between my feet.
play in the college box office.
C 3. Soaked in sweat, Sam was hot and
MM 4. The clerk asked for the money with thirsty.
a frown.
DM 4. Hanging on the wall, I read his
MM 5. Sandra had her photographs blown diploma.
up in an envelope.
DM 5. Sitting quietly, the book kept her
C 6. She met him in the gym for a pep attention.
rally.
C 6. Hot and sizzling, the hamburgers
MM 7. Tickets have gone on sale for the tasted great.
concert in the bookstore.
DM 7. After sleeping on the open ground, a
MM 8. Sandy tripped and broke her wrist cot was a welcome change.
on her bell bottom jeans.
DM 8. Catching the pass on the run, the
MM 9. The boys found a pizza place driving fans cheered when he scored.
around in their car.
C 9. Since failing the first test, I have
MM 10. I read that Sam Smith was a scientist studied harder.
who launched a rocket in the library.
DM 10. Before leaving for work, a car
MM 11. She bought a cake from the bakery requires some inspection.
with chocolate icing.
DM 11. Though very happy, the wedding
MM 12. He thought about his lost baseball ring didn’t fit her finger.
glove driving home.
C 12. After taking a break, Sue left.
MM 13. I returned the shirt to the store that
my mother gave me. C 13. Tired and dirty, Ralph asked for
more time to finish the job.
C 14. Garlic should be stored in a sealed
bag in the refrigerator. DM 14. Driving home very late at night, the
lines in the road became blurs.
C 15. With a smile, she accepted the ring.
DM 15. Waiting for the bus, a storm blew in.
Modifiers – Misplaced & Dangling – Handout 036 Answer Key (Sept. 2019; ASC Eng/Read) Page 2
Read the sentences below. In the blank, place the letter of the sentence that is written most
clearly.

B 1. A) The preschool children watched the pelicans holding hands.

B) The preschool children were holding hands and watching the pelicans.
C) Holding hands, the pelicans walked around the preschool children.

B 2. A) She found a spider cleaning the bathroom.

B) While cleaning the bathroom, she found a spider.
C) While cleaning the bathroom, a spider ran under the door.

A 3. A) Wearing a bathing suit, she washed the car.

B) Wearing a bathing suit, washing the car was fun.
C) She washed the car in her bathing suit.

C 4. A) Smiling, the refund was handed to her by the clerk.

B) The clerk handed her the refund with a smile.
C) Smiling, the clerk handed her the refund.

A 5. A) She thanked the usher wearing a badge in the theater.

B) She thanked the usher in the theater wearing a badge.
C) Wearing a badge, she thanked the usher in the theater.

B 6. A) The children took pictures of the bears sitting in the car.

B) Sitting in the car, the children took pictures of the bears.
C) Sitting in the car, the bears had their pictures taken by the children.

B 7. A) On her way to the bank, the missing dog was seen by Sarah.
B) On her way to the bank, Sarah saw the missing dog.
C) Sarah saw the missing dog on her way to the bank.

C 8. A) He got a Mustang from his father with a custom interior for his birthday.
B) He got a Mustang for his birthday from his father with a custom interior.
C) For his birthday, he got a Mustang with a custom interior from his father.

B 9. A) A man got onto the bus with a bottle of whiskey.

B) A man with a bottle of whiskey got onto the bus.
C) Carrying a bottle of whiskey, the bus was boarded by a man.

C 10. A) He was attacked by a stray dog delivering the mail.

B) Delivering the mail, a stray dog attacked him.
C) Delivering the mail, he was attacked by a stray dog.

B 11. A) Karen returned the fruit to the store that was spoiled.
B) Karen returned the spoiled fruit to the store.
C) Spoiled, Karen returned the fruit to the store.

Modifiers – Misplaced & Dangling – Handout 036 Answer Key (Sept. 2019; ASC Eng/Read) Page 3
 B 12. A) We ordered a pizza after watching the movie that was delicious.
B) We ordered a delicious pizza after watching the movie.
C) After watching the move, a delicious pizza was ordered.

C 13. A) We bought a car with $600 that we had saved.

B) After saving $600, a car was purchased.
C) After saving $600, we bought a car.

A 14. A) With dismay, she remembered that she had chemistry homework.
B) She remembered that she had chemistry homework with dismay.
C) With dismay, her chemistry homework was remembered.

B 15. A) She greeted the plumber at the door in a nightgown.

B) Wearing a nightgown, she greeted the plumber.
C) She greeted the plumber in a nightgown at the door.

C 16. A) Hidden in the garbage, I could not find the note.

B) After roasting for two hours, mother served the turkey.
C) Tripping over his own feet, Dave fell and broke his arm.

A 17. A) While waiting for her ride, Sarah got soaked when it began to rain.
B) Having eaten too much pie, my stomach didn’t feel well.
C) At the age of 16, his father bought him a used truck.

B 18. A) Waving their pennants, the players were cheered by the fans.
B) Walking to class, the students saw the movie star.
C) Just before finishing the book, the phone rang.

C 19. A) Driving along A1A, the turtles were seen laying their eggs.
B) Before going to the prom, dance lessons may be necessary.
C) While flying the kite, the little boy ran into a tree.

B 20. A) Though very tired, a nap wouldn’t have helped.

B) They went to class in their uniforms.
C) The dog was chasing the ball with a spiked collar.

Modifiers – Misplaced & Dangling – Handout 036 Answer Key (Sept. 2019; ASC Eng/Read) Page 4