SAT Reading & Writing: Dangling Modifiers
34+ practice questions in Praczo
The concept, explained
- 1
A dangling modifier occurs when an introductory descriptive phrase does not logically or grammatically attach to the noun right next to it.
- 2
RULE: An introductory phrase must be immediately followed by the noun it describes, separated by a comma.
- 3
Example of a dangling modifier: "Walking down the street, the trees were beautiful." (This implies the trees were walking).
- 4
Correction: "Walking down the street, I saw beautiful trees." (I was walking, so "I" must come right after the comma).
- 5
Always identify WHAT is performing the action in the introductory phrase, and pick the answer choice that places that entity immediately after the comma.
- ✗ Ignoring the subject placement and choosing an option that sounds smooth but leaves the modifier dangling.
- ✗ Selecting an option written in passive voice ("Walking down the street, beautiful trees were seen") which fails to fix the issue.
SAT-style practice
Exhausted from the marathon, _____
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