Dangling Modifiers

Modifiers that “dangle” either describe something that is missing from a sentence or are not logically connected to the main part of a sentence. Repair a dangling modifier by adding one or more words to the sentence or by placing the modifier nearer to what it describes.

Unclear

Arriving after 10 a.m., the parking lot was full. (“Arriving after 10 a.m.” seems to modify the parking lot. This is illogical; the sentence is missing some words.)

Clear

Arriving after 10 a.m., I found the parking lot was full. (Adding a subject and verb, “I found,” makes the sentence clearer.)

Unclear

Abandoned for more than 10 years, the new owner planned to renovate the house. (The poor owner was “abandoned for more than 10 years”?)

Clear

The new owner planned to renovate the house, which had been abandoned for more than 10 years. (Moving the modifier “abandoned for more than 10 years” closer to and describing “house” makes the sentence more logical.)

Squinting Modifiers

Squinting modifiers can’t decide whether to describe what comes before or after them, making the sentence ambiguous. As you review your sentences, ask yourself whether each modifier's location supports your meaning.

Example #1:

• Juan only looked at Cindy during his presentation.
  (Juan looked at Cindy but didn’t speak to her.)
• Juan looked only at Cindy during his presentation.
  (Juan didn’t look at anyone else.)

Example #2:

• People who exercise often have sore muscles.
  (People have sore muscles much of the time because they exercise.)
• People who often exercise have sore muscles.
  (People have sore muscles because they exercise a lot.)

Example #3:

• Our lawyers received the discharge papers we sent on May 5.
  (Were the papers received or sent on May 5?)
• On May 5, the lawyers received the discharge papers we sent.
  (The sentence clarifies when the papers were received.)
• The lawyers received the discharge papers, which we sent on May 5.
  (The sentence clarifies when the papers were sent.)

Remember, most people read quickly and can easily misinterpret your writing if it is unclear. When proofing your documents, look where you've put your modifiers, check if your sentences could have more than one possible meaning, and revise them to prevent any misunderstanding.