Grammar Entry 126 / 1011 60-second read

Dangling Modifier

A descriptive phrase or clause that doesn't clearly modify the intended word.

The comparisoni

✗ Wrong

Walking to school, the rain soaked my backpack.

✓ Correct

Walking to school, I got soaked by the rain.

The ruleii

DANGLING MODIFIER = the word being described isn't in the sentence.

The meaning seems clear to the writer, but reads ambiguously.

Memory aidiii

Remember it like this

The modifier should modify the subject. If not, it's dangling.

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