Misplaced And Dangling Participial Modifiers

Front 1

For each of the following sentences, if there is a dangling or misplaced modifier, fix it. (flip for definition)

Back 1

When a participial phrase is closer to a noun that it does not describe than the one it is supposed to, we call it a MISPLACED MODIFIER.

When the noun it describes is not stated, we call it a DANGLING MODIFIER.

Fix these problems by keeping the modifier where it is and moving the correct subject right after it or changing the modifier to a clause with the correct subject.

Multiple answer possible.

Front 2

Nearly destroyed by termites, we had to do many repairs to our house.

Back 2

"We" were not nearly destroyed by termites. Rather it was the house. Try:

Nearly destroyed by termites, our house needed many repairs.

Front 3

Carrying many books, his foot slipped.

Back 3

"his foot" was not carrying too many books. Try:

Carrying many books, he slipped.

Front 4

Making a strange noise, my computer needed to be replaced.

Back 4

This is okay. It IS, indeed, the computer that is making a strange noise.

Front 5

Longing for some human company, I cradled the little abandoned puppy.

Back 5

I cradled the little abandoned puppy that was longing for some human company.

Front 6

Killed for her beliefs, the martyr died a heroic death.

Back 6

ok

Front 7

Having not been introduced to him, the man was a complete stranger to me.

Back 7

Having not been been introduced to him, I was a complete stranger to the man.

Front 8

Listening closely, the professor’s voice was still too quiet to hear.

Back 8

The professor's voice was too quiet to hear even if we listened closely.

Front 9

Inspecting his documents carefully, the traveler was finally admitted through the customs office.

Back 9

The traveler was finally admitted through the customs office after the officer inspected his documents carefully.

Front 10

I was so scared that she was unhappy with me, disappointed with my job performance.

Back 10

I was so scared that she, disappointed with my job performance, was unhappy with me.
or
I was so scared that she was unhappy with me and disappointed with my job performance.

Front 11

Rehearsing every day for two weeks, we felt confident about our upcoming performance.

Back 11

ok

Front 12

My mind, burdened by the weight of your stress as well as mine, cannot function properly.

Back 12

ok

Front 13

Knowing full well my responsibility, I decided to snowboard instead.

Back 13

ok

Front 14

Enlightened by the lecture, the class left me wanting to know more.

Back 14

Enlightened by the lecture, I wanted to know more after the class.

Front 15

My fingernails had to be clipped by a manicurist, having been neglected for a long for a long time.

Back 15

Having been neglected for a long time, my fingernails had to be clipped by a manicurist.

Front 16

Growing since he was 12, he finally had to cut his long beard.

Back 16

He finally had to cut his long beard, growing since he was 12.
or
Growing since he was 12, his beard needed to be cut.

Front 17

Decorated with tinsel, bells, and lights, my parents always set up a beautiful Christmas tree.

Back 17

My parents decided to set up a beautiful Christmas tree decorated with tinsel, bells, and lights.

Front 18

Reflecting the light of the sun, the night sky is lit by the full moon tonight.

Back 18

Reflecting the light of the sun, the full moon tonight lights up the night sky.

Front 19

Unrecognized by the crowds, a small café was the perfect place for the celebrity to hide.

Back 19

A small cafe was the perfect place for the celebrity, unrecognized by the crowds, to hid.

Front 20

Holding his axe firmly, the tree was chopped down in no time.

Back 20

Holding his axe firmly, the man chopped down the tree in no time.

Front 21

Suffering from a rare disease, the doctors prescribed a rare medicine for the patient.

Back 21

The doctors prescribed a rare medicine for the patient suffering from a rare disease.

Front 22

Curling at the ends, the teenager diligently straightened her unruly hair every morning.

Back 22

Curling at the ends, her unruly hair was diligently straightened by the teenager every morning.

Front 23

Having exercised at 5 AM, my 8 AM class only tired me all the more.

Back 23

Having exercised at 5 AM, I was all the more tired after my 8 AM class.

Front 24

Coasting down the highway at 75, the cop pulled over the speeding red sedan.

Back 24

The cop pulled over the speeding red sedan coasting down the highway at 75.

Front 25

Looking at the sky, a scary green funnel cloud was approaching.

Back 25

Looking at the sky, I saw a scary green funnel cloud approaching.

Front 26

Walking to the movies, the thunderstorm caught Jim unprepared.

Back 26

The thunderstorm caught Jim, walking to the movies, unprepared.

Front 27

Having been repaired early this morning, Mrs. Kersten could drive her car to work.

Back 27

Having been repaired early this morning, the car was ready for Mrs. Kersten to drive to work.

Front 28

Explaining that I had lost my wallet, the waiter allowed me to pay by check.

Back 28

After I explained that I had lost my wallet, the waiter allowed me to pay by check.

Front 29

Driving up the long driveway to the mansion, the dark gate blocked our path.

Back 29

Driving up the long driveway to the mansion, we were blocked by a dark gate.

Front 30

Filled with ink, you can write for hours before the pen runs dry.

Back 30

Filled with ink, that pen can be used for hours before it runs dry.

Front 31

Playing football for the first time in years, it was not easy for the running back to get back into shape.

Back 31

Playing football for the first time in years, the running back did not have an easy time getting back into shape.

Front 32

Standing on the runway, the plane is going to hit you.

Back 32

Standing on the runway, you will be hit by a plane.

Front 33

Reading this recent issue of Reader’s Digest, an article about overfishing caught my eye.

Back 33

Reading this recent issue of Reader’s Digest, I found an article about overfishing that caught my eye.

Front 34

Visiting the reptile house, the noises of the crocodile frightened the elementary students.

Back 34

Visiting the reptile house, the elementary students were frightened by the noises of the crocodile.

Front 35

Showing my official identification card, the door finally opened.

Back 35

After I showed my official identification card, the door finally opened.

Front 36

Turning 10, my parents took me to Disney World.

Back 36

When I turned 10, my parents took me to Disney World.

Front 37

Finished with the ground levelling, the only thing left for the construction crew to do is bring in the new trailer.

Back 37

Finished with the ground levelling, the construction crew needs only to bring in the trailer.

Front 38

Getting up earlier than usual, the apartment seemed unnaturally quiet.

Back 38

After I got up earlier than usual, the apartment seemed unnaturally quiet.

Front 39

Not knowing what was just on the news last night, I had to explain the commotion to my mom.

Back 39

Not knowing what was just on the news last night, my mom needed me to explain to her what the commotion was.

Front 40

Grading papers last night, my dog slept at my feet.

Back 40

While I was grading papers last night, my dog slept at my feet.

Front 41

Vying for her attention, the girl rejected both of the boys.

Back 41

The girl rejected both of the boys vying for her attention.