GUFFEY, BUSINESS ENGLISH, 9E WORKSHEET, CH. 8

Dangling And Misplaced Modifiers

For clarity in English, modifiers must be close to the words they describe or limit. A modifier dangles when the word or phrase it describes is missing from its sentence. A modifier is misplaced when the word or phrase it describes is not close enough to be clear. Many modification problems are created by introductory phrases. After an introductory phrase, always supply a logical subject. That subject is usually the “doer” of the action and answers the questions “Who?” or “What?”

Dangling modifier: Pushing the wrong key, the document suddenly disappeared.

Revision: Pushing the wrong key, I saw the document suddenly disappear.

Misplaced modifier: After being in the refrigerator a week, Stacy said the salad tasted strange.

Revision: After being in the refrigerator a week, the salad tasted strange to Stacy.

Introductory verbal phrases are particularly dangerous when followed by passive-voice constructions. Using an active voice verb often helps to resolve modification problems. Another remedy involves adding a subject to the main element to make a sentence clear.

Dangling modifier: To win the lottery, a ticket must be purchased. (Passive-voice verb)

Revision: To win the lottery, you must purchase a ticket. (Active-voice verb)

Dangling modifier: Hampered by fierce winds, water could not be dropped on the fire.

Revision: Hampered by fierce winds, helicopters could not drop water on the fire.

Dangling modifier: While pumping gas, a driverless car rolled into mine.

Revision: While I was pumping gas, a driverless car rolled into mine. (Subject added to introductory clause)

Don’t confuse commands with dangling modifiers. In commands the subject is understood to be you.

Correct: To graduate early, enroll in summer school. [The understood subject is you; you must enroll in summer school.]

On this sheet or a separate one, revise the following sentences to remedy dangling and misplaced modifiers. Retain all introductory expressions. If a sentence is already correct, mark C before it.

1. After regaining consciousness, passersby helped the accident victim out of the car.

2. Strolling down South Beach, the Park Hotel is just one of Art Deco buildings you’ll see.

3. To qualify for the certificate, students must maintain perfect attendance.

4. Immediately following birth, identification tags are applied to all newborns’ wrists.

5. Looking back through history, no presidency has seen greater trial and tribulation.

6. Walking up the driveway, the Rolls Royce and Mercedes parked in the garage were immediately seen by the detectives.

7. After surviving three days in freezing conditions, doctors miraculously saved the child.

8. Plunging 1,000 feet into the gorge, we were amazed at the grandeur of Yosemite Falls.

9. To be most fruitful, you should set out tomato plants after the soil warms in the spring.

10. Reacting to stress, food is more likely to be eaten by women than by men.

Not all modification problems appear in introductory phrases. To correct misplaced modifiers in other parts of sentences, move the unclear expression closer to the word(s) modified.

Misplaced modifier: A wart appeared on my left hand that I want removed. Revision: A wart that I want removed appeared on my left hand.

Remedy the following misplaced modifiers. If a sentence is already correct, write C before it

11. We can make arrangements with the tax collector that you can live with.

12. The patient was referred to a psychiatrist with a severe emotional problem.

13. Firefighters rescued a dog from a car that had a broken leg.

14. The sun greeted me as I came out of the house with a golden glow.

15. He carried the puppy in his car that was only three weeks old.

The following sentences contain many modification problems. Revise as needed. If a sentence is already correct, write C before it. Hint: Three sentences are correct.

16. After leaving the concert and walking to the parking lot, Lisa’s car would not start.

17. Seasoned in a spicy crumb mixture, you can complement your Chicken Fingers with honey mustard or barbecue dipping sauce.

18 Please take time to look over the brochure that is enclosed with your family.

19. Found guilty on eight counts, the judge sentenced the defendant to six months in prison.

20. She died in the house in which she was born at the age of 88.

21. As the light turned red, the drivers of both cars entered the intersection.

22. To enter the super lottery sweepstakes, it is necessary to purchase a ticket by midnight.

23. Skidding along the shoulder, Kevin’s Toyota hit a utility pole going 60 miles an hour.

24. Looking at the bottom line, the budget proposal made no sense to management.

25. To find a good job today, perseverance and ingenuity are required of all serious candidates.

26. Acting as her own travel agent, a trip to Fiji was planned by Samantha.

27. Angered by excessive expenditures, managers reviewed every item on the budget.

28. Adopting a new name, the furniture movers called themselves “Hernia Movers: The Potentate of Totin’ Freight.”

29. After lingering close to death for days, newspaper reporters were allowed to interview him.

30. To prevent head injuries, helmets must be worn by all cyclists.

Key For Dangling And Misplaced Modifiers

1. After regaining consciousness, the victim was helped out of the car by passersby.

2. Strolling down South Beach, you’ll see the Park Hotel, which is just one of many Art Deco buildings.

3. C

4. Immediately following birth, nurses attach identification tags to newborns’ wrists.

5. Looking back through history, one has seen no presidency with greater trial and tribulation. OR

As one looks back through history, no presidency has seen greater trial and tribulation.

6. Walking up the driveway, detectives immediately saw the Rolls Royce and Mercedes parked in the garage.

7. After surviving three days in freezing conditions, the child was miraculously saved by doctors.

8. Plunging 1,000 feet into the gorge, Yosemite Falls amazed us with its grandeur.

9. To be most fruitful, tomato plants should be set out after the soil warms in the spring.

10. Reacting to stress, women are more likely to eat food than are men.

11. We can make tax collection arrangements that you can live with. OR

With the tax collector, we can make arrangements that you can live with.

12. The patient with a severe emotional problem was referred to a psychiatrist.

13. Firefighters rescued from a car a dog that had a broken leg.

14. As I came out of the house, the sun greeted me with a golden glow.

15. He carried the three-week-old puppy in his car.

16. After leaving the concert and walking to the parking lot, Lisa discovered that her car wouldn’t start.

17. Seasoned in a spicy crumb mixture, your Chicken Fingers can be complemented with honey mustard or barbecue dipping sauce.

18. Please take time with your family to look over the enclosed brochure.

19. Found guilty on eight counts, the defendant was sentenced by the judge to six months in prison.

20. At the age of 88, she died in the house in which she was born.

21. C

22. To enter the super lottery sweepstakes, you must purchase a ticket by midnight.

23. Skidding along the shoulder at 60 miles an hour, Kevin’s Toyota hit a utility pole.

24. Looking at the bottom line, management thought the budget proposal made no sense.

25. To find a good job today, all serious candidates must have perseverance and ingenuity.

26. Acting as her own travel agent, Samantha planned a trip to Fiji.

27. C

28. C

29. After lingering close to death for days, he was allowed to be interviewed by newspaper reporters.

30. To prevent head injuries, all cyclists must wear helmets.

Name: