Dangling Modifier Examples in Literature: Analysis and Revision

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🧐 A dangling modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is intended to modify a certain word but either modifies the wrong word or modifies nothing at all.
• ✍️ Dangling modifiers often occur when the subject of the modifying phrase is missing from the main clause.
• ⚠️ To correct a dangling modifier, rewrite the sentence so that the modifying phrase clearly and logically refers to the intended subject.
• 📝 Look for introductory participial phrases (phrases beginning with a verb ending in -ing or -ed) as common culprits.
• 💡 Pay close attention to sentences where the action described in the modifying phrase isn't logically performed by the subject of the main clause.

🤔 Practice Quiz

1. Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
   1. A) Having finished the exam, Sarah went for coffee.
   2. B) After reading the book, the movie seemed disappointing.
   3. C) While walking through the park, I saw a squirrel.
   4. D) Because he studied hard, John aced the test.
2. In the sentence, "Covered in chocolate sauce, I ate the ice cream," what is the dangling modifier?
   1. A) Covered in chocolate sauce
   2. B) I ate
   3. C) the ice cream
   4. D) chocolate sauce
3. Which revision correctly fixes the dangling modifier in the sentence: "Walking down the street, the buildings looked impressive."?
   1. A) Walking down the street, I found the buildings looked impressive.
   2. B) As I was walking down the street, the buildings looked impressive.
   3. C) Walking down the street, I saw that the buildings looked impressive.
   4. D) The buildings looked impressive, walking down the street.
4. Identify the sentence with the dangling modifier:
   1. A) Exhausted from the hike, they took a nap.
   2. B) After the rain, the flowers bloomed.
   3. C) While singing in the shower, the doorbell rang.
   4. D) To bake a cake, you need flour.
5. Which of the following sentences is free of dangling modifiers?
   1. A) Having been neglected for weeks, the plant was dead.
   2. B) By overeating, his stomach hurt.
   3. C) After painting the house, it looked great.
   4. D) While driving to work, I listened to music.
6. "Looking out the window, the rain seemed peaceful." How can this be revised to eliminate the dangling modifier?
   1. A) Looking out the window, the peaceful rain was seen.
   2. B) Looking out the window, I found the rain seemed peaceful.
   3. C) As I was looking out the window, the rain seemed peaceful to me.
   4. D) I looked out the window, and the rain seemed peaceful.
7. Which sentence contains a correctly placed modifier?
   1. A) Having finished his homework, the TV was turned on.
   2. B) To improve your health, exercise is important.
   3. C) Walking through the forest, a bear was seen.
   4. D) After she finished her work, Maria went to the store.