Using Phrases and Clauses while Recognizing and Correcting Dangling Modifiers

Common Core Language Standard 7.1 calls for students to “Place phrases and clauses within a sentence, recognizing and correcting dangling modifiers” (Common Core State Standards, 2010). A modifier is an element of a sentence (such as a word, phrase, or clause) that adds detail. Authors will frequently add modifiers to sentences to provide additional information and allow readers to picture what is taking place. Sounds great, right? Right, except when we are dealing with dangling modifiers. Dangling modifiers are descriptive aspects of sentences that are unclear in what they describe. There are two main ways dangling modifiers manifest themselves in writing: (1) the modifier is not placed next to the noun it is describing; and (2) the noun being described is not included in the sentence at all. Let us take a look at each of these situations.