A dangling modifier is a phrase or an elliptical clause that does not sensibly modify any other words in the sentence.
Avoid a dangling participial phrase. Participial phrases may come after the words they modify, or they may be placed at the beginning of the sentence. If a participial phrase is placed at the beginning of the sentence, it must modify the subject of that sentence. Sometimes a dangling phrase at the beginning of a sentence is merely misplaced f and may be moved to a position after the word it modifies. At other times the independent clause must be reworded.
Hanging on a nail in the closet, he found his tie. (misplaced)
He found his tie hanging on a nail in the closet. (corrected)
Flying over the city, the skyscrapers could be clearly seen. (dangling)
Flying over the city, we could clearly see the skyscrapers. (corrected)
► Note. A few participles, which express a general action, may stand independently, not modifying any word in the sentence. Such expressions are so general and idiomatic that no confusion results. The following are some examples: concerning, considering, providing, regarding, speaking, talking.
Generally speaking, cats do not like dogs.
Talking about basketball, where is Wilt Callahan now?
Avoid a dangling gerund phrase.
By using a good carnauba wax, your car will really shine. (dangling—Who is using the wax?)
By using a good carnauba wax, you can make your really shine. (improved)
Avoid a dangling infinitive phrase.
To run a four-minute mile, excellent condition is required, (dangling—Who is doing the running?)
To run a four-minute mile, one must be in excellent condition. (improved)
Avoid a dangling elliptical clause. An elliptical clause is an adverb clause in which the subject (and sometimes the verb) is understood. A dangling clause results if the understood subject of the elliptical clause is not the same as that of the independent clause. One can usually correct the error by supplying the missing words in the adverb clause.
Sometimes the independent clause will have to be reworded.
When one month old, my grandmother died, (dangling)
When I was one month old, my grandmother died, (corrected)
His leg developed a cramp while running the marathon, (dangling)
His leg developed a cramp while he was running the marathon, (corrected)
If fully cooked, remove the turkey from the oven. (dangling)
If the turkey is fully cooked, remove it from the oven. (corrected)
While emptying the trash at the campground, a large opossum startled me. (dangling)
While emptying the trash at the campground, I was startled by a large opossum. (corrected)
