DANGLING MODIFIERS
The subject of
the main clause must be the same as the understood subject of the introductory
phrase. In other words, the introductory phrase modifies the subject of the
main clause.
Introductory Phrase Main Clause
Looking at his watch, Mr. Jones got up and left.
Subject
Who
looked at his watch? Mr. Jones
Who
got up and left? Mr.
Jones
Introductory Phrase Main Clause
Compared to his father, John is a tall man.
Subject
Who
is compared to his father ? John
Who
is a tall man? John
Introductory
Phrase Main
Clause
To make a collect
phone call, Mary must speak to the operator.
Subject
Who is making a
collect phone call? Mary
Who must speak
to the operator? Mary
Introductory Phrase Main Clause
While a dancer in New York, Kathy injured her leg.
Subject
Who was a dancer
in New York? Kathy
Who injured her
leg? Kathy
Error
Examples:
A. WRONG: Running
home from school, a dog bit me.
RIGHT: Running
home from school, I was bitten by a dog.
B. WRONG: When
only a child, my father took me to the circus.
RIGHT: When
only a child, I was taken to the circus by my father.
C. WRONG: Hidden
in his pocket, George left the room with the key.
RIGHT: Having
hidden the key in his pocket, George left the room.
D.
WRONG: To understand the directions,
they must be read carefully.
RIGHT: To
understand the directions, one must read them carefully.
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