Dangling Modifiers

See also: Free-English-Study: Danglling Modifiers.

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Modifying words and phrases should be as close as possible to words they modify.

I only have two dollars. I have only two dollars. The man likes the woman from Florida. The man from Florida likes the woman. The dog belongs to Jerry that bit my son. The dog that bit my son belongs to Jerry. I saw a UFO looking out my window. Looking out my window, I saw a UFO.

(Better) (The woman is from Florida.) (The man is from Florida.) (Wrong) (Correct) (Wrong) (Correct)

Be aware that introductory phrases imply that the main subject is the doer of the action.

While taking a shower, my aunt called. While I was taking a shower, my aunt called.

(My aunt called from the shower.) (I was in the shower when she called.)

See also: Grammar: Introductory Phrases

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