Dangling Modifiers

Definition: Whatever modifiers refer to must be named in the sentence. "Dangling modifiers" are usually phrases that begin with the "-ed," "-ing," or "to + verb" form of a verb ("verbal phrases") and do not clearly refer to any other word or phrase in the sentence. These modifiers can confuse readers.

1		When studying for the final, our lecture notes made absolutely no sense to either of us.
			A)	To either of us, when studying for the final, our lecture notes made absolutely no sense.
			B)	When studying for the final, neither of us could make any sense of our lecture notes.
			C)	When studying for the final, our lecture notes made absolutely no sense to either of us.
2		Upon turning eighteen, Joe's father took him to a nightclub.
			A)	When Joe turned eighteen, his father took him to a nightclub.
			B)	Joe's father took him to a nightclub, upon turning eighteen.
			C)	Joe's father, upon turning eighteen, took him to a nightclub.
3		Having spent most of our money, the carnival no longer seemed a fun place to be.
			A)	The carnival no longer seemed a fun place to be, having spent most of our money.
			B)	The carnival, having spent most of our money, no longer seemed a fun place to be.
			C)	Since we had spent most of our money, the carnival no longer seemed a fun place to be.
4		While listening to the violent winds outside, our neighbor's oak tree blew over.
			A)	While we listened to the violent winds outside, our neighbor's oak tree blew over.
			B)	Our neighbor's oak tree blew over, while listening to the violent winds outside.
			C)	Our neighbor's oak tree, while listening to the violent winds outside, blew over.
5		To throw a baseball properly, your glove must be kept on the other side of your body.
			A)	Your glove must be kept on the other side of your body, to throw a baseball properly.
			B)	To throw a baseball properly, you should keep your glove on the other side of your body.
			C)	Your glove must be kept, to throw a baseball properly, on the other side of your body.
6		While driving to Phoenix, the snow started falling.
			A)	While we were driving to Phoenix, the snow started falling.
			B)	The snow started falling while driving to Phoenix
			C)	The snow, while driving to Phoenix, started falling.
7		Click to open the passage used in the following exercises. Edit the following short passage to correct dangling modifiers by choosing the correct revision from the alternatives offered below each of the numbered exercises. The numbers in brackets [ ] each sentence. Which one of the following editing choices corrects the dangling modifiers in sentences [1] - [2]?
			A)	Hearing strange noises in the family room one night, we thought the television set was about to explode. While we waited for something awful to happen, the set just died.
			B)	Hearing strange noises in the family room one night, the television set was about to explode. But while waiting for something awful to happen, the set just died.
			C)	The television set, hearing strange noises in the family room one night, was about to explode. But the set just died, we thought, while waiting for something awful to happen.
8		Which one of the following editing choices corrects the dangling modifiers in sentences [3] - [4]? Show sentences again.
			A)	We had bought the set only three weeks earlier, so it shouldn't have broken down. Having bought the fanciest model, the salesman would be surprised to see us return so soon.
			B)	We had bought the set only three weeks earlier, so it shouldn't have broken down. Since we had bought the fanciest model, the salesman would be surprised to see us return so soon.
			C)	We had bought the set only three weeks earlier, so it shouldn't have broken down. The salesman would be surprised, having bought the fanciest model, to see us return so soon.
9		Which one of the following editing choices corrects the dangling modifiers in sentences [5] - [6]? Show sentences again.
			A)	But we had to return. We wanted a television set that worked.
			B)	But return we had to. We wanted a television set that worked.
			C)	But we had to be returning. A television set that worked is what we wanted.
10		Which one of the following editing choices corrects the dangling modifiers in sentences [7] - [8]? Show sentences again.
			A)	Trying to control our anger, the television set was placed carefully into the trunk and taken back to the store. Fortunately, the sales manager was there.
			B)	Trying to control our anger, we placed the television set carefully into the trunk and took it back to the store. Fortunately, the sales manager was there.
			C)	The television set was placed carefully into the trunk and taken back to the store, trying to control our anger. The sales manager was, fortunately, there.
11		Which one of the following editing choices corrects the dangling modifiers in sentences [9]? Show sentences again.
			A)	After listening to our story and looking at our sales receipt, a new television set was given to us, and we were on our way home.
			B)	After listening to our story and looking at our sales receipt, he gave us a new television set, and we were on our way home.
			C)	After listening to our story and looking at our sales receipt, a new television set he gave us, and we were on our way home.