The Writing Center

by Ruth Rogers ’07

A modifier is a word or phrase that clarifies, explains, or gives more detail about a subject. Here’s an example:

Having failed an anatomy test, I resolved to spend more time studying.

The real “meat” of this sentence is I resolved to spend more time studying. The modifier, having failed my anatomy test, gives the reader some additional information about the subject (I) that makes the sentence more meaningful. You resolved to spend more time studying. Why? Because you failed an anatomy test.

A modifier dangles when there is no subject in the sentence for it to actually modify. Here’s an example:

Having failed an anatomy test, studying has become more of a priority.

The main part of the sentence, studying has become more of a priority, has the subject studying, but that’s not what is being modified. The modifier is dangling because there’s actually nothing in the sentence as written for it to modify. Who failed the test? Who is going to work harder at studying? There’s nobody in the sentence to fail the anatomy test! Much as you would probably like for that to be true, you can’t alter reality by using incorrect grammar. (Sorry!)

How do you spot a modifier? Modifiers often start with an -ing word, or with the word to, and you’ll usually find them at the beginning of a sentence, although they can also come at the end. When you find one, ask yourself who or what it describes, and then check to make sure the subject being described actually appears in the sentence.

For additional reading about dangling modifiers, see the Grammar section in our list of links.