Grammar Entry 127 / 1011 60-second read

Dangling Modifiers

A modifier must clearly refer to the word it's modifying.

The comparisoni

✗ Wrong

Running down the street, the dog barked at me. After finishing dinner, the dishes were washed.

✓ Correct

Running down the street, I saw the dog barking. After finishing dinner, she washed the dishes.

The ruleii

The subject of the modifying phrase should be the same as the main subject of the sentence.

It creates confusion about who is performing the action.

Memory aidiii

Remember it like this

The subject of the modifying phrase should be the same as the main subject of the sentence.

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