dangling modifier
- noun
- /ˈdæŋɡlɪŋ ˈmaɪdɪfər/
- Specialized
:
modificador colgante
- I noticed a dangling modifier in your essay; it seemed to suggest that the dog walked the owner instead of the other way around.
Examples
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Using a dangling modifier can confuse readers, as it might imply that the wrong subject is being described.
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The sentence contained a dangling modifier, making it unclear who the writer was referring to.
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And you left a dangling modifier.
Blog text (28)
Synonyms
A word or phrase not clearly attached to the part of a sentence it describes
A word or phrase placed so it seems to describe the wrong part of a sentence and confuses the meaning
How Attached
- Specialized
5
4.4
- Specialized
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a straightforward composition of 'dangling' (hanging, unattached) and 'modifier' (a qualifying word/phrase), so its meaning—‘a modifier that is not properly attached and therefore causes confusion’ is directly inferable from the parts. This metaphorical use of 'dangling' to mean 'not connected' follows normal adjective+noun composition and has clear cross-linguistic parallels, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would grasp the concept.
Etymology
Dangling modifier comes from the picture of a small tag that is dangling and not clearly attached to the word it should 'modify', the modifier. Imagine a name tag hanging from the wrong coat so you do not know who it belongs to. That's why a dangling modifier means a word or phrase that seems to change the wrong thing and can 'confuse' the reader.