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Parts of the Predicate: Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers
I. Verb Modifiers
Verb modifiers identify the distinctive features of the action or state of being
expressed by the verb or verb phrase. Modifiers tell where, when, why, how, how
often, how much, with what results, under what circumstances or conditions
something occurred.
1. The structures most frequently used as verb modifiers or adverbials are adverbs,
nouns, prepositional phrases, infinitive phrases and adverb clauses.
Example – When Mrs. Kaplan swims, she wears a cap. (Adverb clause of time/when
modifying wears.)
Example – Some students went to Italy to see the Sistine Chapel. (Infinitive phrase of
clause modifying went.)
II. Noun Modifiers
Noun modifiers are divided into those that are noun markers or determiners and those
that identify distinctive features in nouns and are called adjectivals.
Common determiners, also known as articles, are: the, a, an. Demonstrative
pronouns used as adjectives are: this, those, and personal pronouns: my, his.
Other determiners: Other, many, another, any, several, more, most, first, last, second,
third, enough, no, which, all, each, neither, either.
TRY IT! Find and copy a sentence from your writing with a demonstrative noun
modifier and one with another determiner.
II. Dangling Modifiers
A dangling modifier is a dependent structure that is related to the wrong word in the
sentence. It is usually caused when a writer begins a construction but never finishes it
or forgets where he or she is going with it. As a result, the sentence is momentarily
misleading or nonsensical.
Example – Coming out of the building, the cafeteria was seen.
It sounds like the cafeteria is coming out of the building. Coming out of the
building, the students saw the cafeteria.
1. Most dangling modifiers involve verbals. To untangle these modifiers,
determine who or what is involved in the action of the verbal and make sure that this
person or thing is near the verb. Modifiers should come, if possible, next to the
words they modify.
Example – The students worked through the deep revision exercises, fuming with
frustration.
The phrase fuming with frustration appears to be modifying the exercises.
TRY IT! Write the sentence placing the verbal near the subject it modifies. Then,
check your writing for this type of grammar error.
III. Misplaced Modifier
A. Misplaced Verbal Modifiers
Most verbal modifiers can move around within a sentence. However, because they
can be moved, confusion can occur if the verb modifier is placed next to the wrong
verb or noun. A verbal modifier then should be placed closest to the verb it
modifies.
Example – Joel threatens to quit school often. It sounds awkward because often is
next to school rather than Joel. Joel often threatens to quit school.
B. Misplace Noun Modifiers
Noun modifiers have a fixed position before and after the noun. If for any reason,
they are moved from their correct positions, confusion and ambiguity result. The
sentence must be arranged to place the modifier in its correct position or the sentence
must be rewritten.
Example – Some students finally finished their research paper by working on it
during lunch over many weeks.
Over many weeks modifies the students who completed the week not lunch.
TRY IT! Rewrite the sentence below with the modifier next to the noun it
modifies.
1. Noun modifiers that are prepositional phrases can be especially confusing if
they are not placed next to the noun they modify.
Example – Sophomore literature students perform on Fridays during monthly
madness.
During monthly madness modifies sophomore literature students not Fridays.
TRY IT! Rewrite the sentence below with the prepositional phrase modifier next to
the noun it modifies.
TRY IT! Peruse your writing an example of misplaced modifiers. Correct and
write the sentence below.