Notes: Dangling Modifiers

We have learned about four different types of modifying phrases: adjective phrase, noun phrase,
prepositional phrase, and participial phrase.

An introductory modifying phrase MUST MODIFY THE NOUN IMMEDIATELY after it. If it does not, it is
known as a dangling modifier. This is an error and it must be corrected.

Here is a dangling introductory adjective phrase:

Fat and pink, my sister put the wiggling worm on the fishing hook.

Here is a correctly used introductory adjective phrase:

Fat and pink, the worm wiggled on the fishing hook.

In the first sentence, the IAP seems to modify the noun "sister" and not the worm. You can see how this
creates confusion in the reader's mind. The confusion comes from the dangling modifier.

In the second sentence, the IAP modifies the noun IMMEDIATELY after it: the worm.
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Here is a dangling introductory noun phrase:

The first president, I studied George Washington in Civics.

Here is a correctly used introductory noun phrase:

The first president, George Washington is historically significant.

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Here is a dangling introductory prepositional phrase:

With a sigh of relief, the test had an A written on it.

Here is a correctly used introductory prepositional phrase:

With a sigh of relief, I saw my test grade was an A.

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Here is a dangling introductory past participial phrase:

Bored with the movie, the acting was terrible.

Here is a correctly used introductory past participial phrase:

Bored with the movie, we left the the theater early.

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Here is a dangling introductory present participial phrase:

Singing at the top of their lungs, the van was full of hyperactive teenagers.

Here is a correctly used introductory present participial phrase:

Singing at the top of their lungs, the teenagers drove to the concert.