Dangling modifiers | Syntax | Khan Academy

TL;DR

Dangling modifiers are words or phrases that incorrectly modify a noun or phrase, and they can be fixed by ensuring that the modifier is placed right before the word it is supposed to modify.

Transcript

• [Voiceover] Hello grammarians, hello Rosie. - [Voiceover] Hi Paige. - [Voiceover] So in this video we're gonna talk about something called a dangling modifier. So, before we get in to what a dangling modifier is, we can sort of talk about just what a modifier is. Rosie, do want to tell us what the definition of a modifier is? - [Voiceover] Sure, ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔑 Modifiers are words or phrases that describe something else in a sentence, such as adjectives or adverbs.
• 🥇 Dangling modifiers occur when the modifier is not placed before the word or phrase it is supposed to modify.
• 🧘 Rephrasing the sentence and placing the modifier in the correct position can fix dangling modifiers.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is a modifier?

A modifier is a word or phrase that describes something else in a sentence, such as an adjective or adverb.

Q: When does a modifier become a dangling modifier?

A modifier becomes a dangling modifier when it is not placed before the word or phrase it is supposed to modify.

Q: How can dangling modifiers be fixed?

Dangling modifiers can be fixed by rephrasing the sentence to place the modifier in the correct position, right before the word or phrase it is supposed to modify.

Q: Why is it important to fix dangling modifiers?

It is important to fix dangling modifiers because they can lead to unclear or humorous meanings in sentences, and may create confusion for the reader.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• A modifier is a word or phrase that describes something else in a sentence, such as an adjective or adverb.

• A dangling modifier occurs when the modifier is not placed before the word or phrase it is supposed to modify.

• Dangling modifiers can lead to unclear or humorous meanings in sentences and can be fixed by rephrasing the sentence to place the modifier in the correct position.