Fix the Dangling Modifier
While cooking the meal, the telephone rang.
While I [or the name of someone] was cooking the meal, the telephone rang.
I smelled the oysters coming down the stairs for dinner.
Coming down the stairs for dinner, I smelled the oysters.
What two things can this sentence mean?
John said on Monday he would resign.
John will resign on Monday.
On Monday John said he would resign.
After consulting a selection of current publications, research in this area has been sparse.
After consulting a selection of current publications, research in this area has been sparse.
(It's not clear who is consulting the selection of current publications.)
What you hear often you will believe.
squinting
The word often can go either way.
While setting the table, the soup can be heated.
While setting the table, you [or the name of someone] can heat the soup.
The book almost hit Bill's head that we bought online.
The book that we bought online almost hit Bill's head.
What two things can this sentence mean?
The lawyer only prepared the document.
Only lawyer prepared the document.
The lawyer prepared the document only.
He discovered an ancient Mayan civilization using astronavigation.
Dolger discovered an ancient Mayan civilization using astronavigation.
The modifier, "using astronavigation," is unclear in this sentence. Does it modify "He" or "civilization"? A reader will wonder, "Was he using astronavigation? Or was the civilization he discovered using astronavigation?"
The boy hit the pavement hard riding a motorcycle.
Misplaced
The boy riding a motorcycle hit the pavement hard.
Inside the classroom, the sunny day made it hot.
The sunny day made the classroom hot.
The girls was driven home by the chauffer who fell asleep.
The girl who fell asleep was driven home by the chauffer.
What two things can this sentence mean?
Getting married quickly changes your ways.
Quickly getting married changes your ways.
Getting married changes your ways quickly.
The green Toyota was sold to the lady with the automatic transmission.
The green Toyota was sold to the lady with the automatic transmission.
Instructors who cancel classes rarely are reprimanded.
Squinting
The word rarely can go either way.
To improve his essay, each page was proofread.
To improve his essay, [name of a guy] proofread each page.
She saw a puppy and a kitten on the way to the store.
On the way to the store, she saw a puppy and a kitten.
What two things can this sentence mean?
Jumping up and down quickly entertained him.
Quickly jumping up and down entertained him.
Jumping up and down entertained him quickly.
I spotted some wild ducks eating my lunch in the park.
I spotted some wild ducks eating my lunch in the park.
A woman passed by, leading her dog in a long black dress.
Misplaced
A woman in a long black dress, passed by.
Having read the book, the film will be a hit.
Having read the book, I think the film will be a hit.
In the aquarium Luke fed the fish.
Luke fed the fish in the aquarium.
What two things can this sentence mean?
Saving a life often made him feel proud.
Saving a life made him feel proud often.
Often saving a life made him feel proud.
Leaning back in a comfortable chair, the magazine on the table attrached my attention.
Leaning back in a comfortable chair, the magazine on the table attrached my attention.
Having lost the job, the house had to be sold.
Dangling
The house can't lose a job.