Filed under: Grammar, Language | Tags: dangling modifier, grammar, grammar rules, modifier
As an editor, I see a lot of grammatical errors. Using “you’re” when it should have been “your.” “Should of” used instead of “should have.”
And then there’s the dreaded dangling modifier.
Yes, that’s a fancy-sounding phrase, but the issue is a real one (no, not bad enough for you to break out the hand sanitizer and SARS mask).
Before we jump into dangling modifiers, let’s do a quick grammar refresher on modifiers.
Here are a couple of examples to get you in the mood for modifiers:
Disgusted, the zombie spit out the fake brains.
In the above, “Disgusted” is the modifier that describes “the zombie.”
Throwing the pine cone, the sasquatch hoped to confuse its hunters.
In this example, “Throwing the pine cone” is the modifier that describes “the sasquatch.”
Easy-peasy, right? So what the hell is a dangling modifier?
Now the real moment of fun has arrived: FUN EXAMPLES!

Source: Ferresan via Deviant Art

Source: someecards
And now, one from yours truly:
Walking home slowly, the most awesome of all unicorns was on Amanda’s mind.
The moral of the story?

Source: Inkygirl
In all seriousness, don’t let your modifiers dangle, guys.
It’s just not cool.
Did I help explain dangling modifiers, and do you see how annoying they are? Sound off in the comments below.
3 Comments so far
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But….but we, poets, are allowed to dangle our modifiers! I mean, the cadence and rhythm of our great work may occasionally call for it 🙂
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Comment by Poet Rummager July 21, 2015 @ 10:01 pmSeriously, these are good reminders here. I love your humorous approach, and that damn cat and unicorn are just so cute!
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Comment by Poet Rummager July 21, 2015 @ 10:05 pmThank you! I’m glad you like the cat and unicorn–I was pretty proud of them. 😉
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Comment by Katrina Robinson July 22, 2015 @ 9:05 am