Dangling Modifiers
In a previous article, we discussed dangling participles (EDITING 101:24). Today we’re going to discuss dangling modifiers.
If you remember, “dangling” is another word for “misplaced.” A modifier is a noun or an adjective that amends or explains, adding description to another noun. So a dangling modifier is simply a word modifying a noun that is in the wrong place, thereby making the sentence ambiguous or confusing, and sometimes downright funny.
Incorrect: The woman walked the dog in purple suede cowboy boots.
Correct: The woman in purple suede cowboy boots walked the dog.
Incorrect: We saw several monkeys on vacation in Mexico.
Correct: While on vacation in Mexico, we saw several monkeys.
Incorrect: We saw several blue jays looking out our front window.
Correct: Looking out our front window, we saw several blue jays.
Incorrect: While camping, I saw a bear in my pajamas.
Correct: While camping in my pajamas, I saw a bear.
All these examples include people, but sometimes inanimate objects get in on the action, too!
Incorrect: The library has several books about dinosaurs in our school.
Correct: The library in our school has several books about dinosaurs.
Incorrect: I found my missing baseball glove cleaning my room.
Correct: While cleaning my room, I found my missing baseball glove.
Incorrect: He was staring at the girl by the vending machine wearing dark glasses.
Correct: He was staring at the girl wearing dark glasses by the vending machine.
More funny examples of misplaced modifiers and participles can be found HERE.
Another famous example of this humorous effect is by Groucho Marx as Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding in the 1930 film, Animal Crackers:
“One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas, I’ll never know.”
Next week we’ll discuss ‘Using Quotes in Your Book and Research Tips’
To see the index and catch up with missed episodes of this series – CLICK HERE
NOTE:
This series is not meant to be (nor will it be) simple static information.
I’ll be here for each post to answer questions, offer suggestions as necessary, and interact with you.
If there’s something you specifically want (or need!) to see addressed in terms of self-editing, please let me know in the comments under this, or any of the articles of the series.
Susan
EDITING – NON-EDITING – BOOK FORMATTING
Other Links:
Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog 
You’ve got to admit those dangling modifiers can give you a laugh in your pyjamas!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Definitely, Norah! 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
These DO trip me up so I appreciate the post!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re welcome, Christy! 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on Writing for the Whole Darn Universe.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for sharing, Malia Ann 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome as a pepperoni, mushroom, and olive pizza with extra cheese, Chris! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Save me a slice, I’m on my way over now, Malia Ann 🦍😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot, Malia, for sharing with the Whole Darn Universe! 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re welcome, Susan! I couldn’t leave the Whole Darn Universe dangling. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
I didn't come up with anything clever this week because I thought maybe you were getting tired of the schtick*. Apparently not!
*A shtick (Yiddish: שטיק) (or schtick) is a comic theme or gimmick. "Shtick" is derived from the Yiddish word shtik (שטיק), meaning "piece"; the closely related German word Stück has the same meaning. I wasn't sure how much Yiddish the Whole Darn Universe knows. 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aaack! I spelled it wrong! *faint*
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! I never get tired of schtick. Well maybe during my hot flashes, but that’s cuz they make me kinda cranky. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on BOOK CHAT and commented:
Do you get tripped-up by dangling modifiers? Here is an informative and fun post on dangling modifiers by Susan Uttendorfsky.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for reblogging, Michelle 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading and sharing, Michelle! ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re welcome. 💕
LikeLiked by 2 people
Susan thanks for the great information on this series of blogs via Chris The Story Reading Ape’s blog. Thanks Chris for promoting the series.
I copied some of the examples for my 9 year old granddaughter who will appreciate the humour, and instruction, in your current ‘dangling’ examples. She visited me during the recent school holidays and attended my Writers’ group, writing and reading her story to the group and taking seriously their constructive comments. The following day saw her deep in thought then, with computer keys clicking quickly, editing her story. I plan to introduce her to Adironack Editing via selected copies of your wonderful information 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
How wonderful, Suzanne! A new budding writer in the family! ❤ ❤ ❤ Oh yes, a nine-year-old will certainly enjoy the humor. 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
This 65-year-old enjoys the humor!
My dad’s favorite example was: Running along the limb, I saw a squirrel. (He infected me with his sense of humor, such as saying “My girl has freckles on her but she’s pretty” out loud as an example of two independent clauses needing a comma between them and because it sounds mildly scatological.)
LikeLiked by 1 person