DANGLING MODIFIERS A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that either modifies no word in the sentence or refers to the wrong word. Dangling modifiers cause the sentence to lack coherence. Recognize the following types of dangling modifiers and their corrections. DANGLING PARTICIPLE PHRASE: Smoking my cigar, a fire engine came roaring around the corner. Revision 1: As I was smoking my cigar, a fire engine came roaring around the corner. Revision 2: Smoking my cigar, I saw a fire engine roaring around the corner. DANGLING GERUND PHRASE: After drilling my tooth, my cavity stopped aching. Revision 1: After the dentist drilled my tooth, my cavity stopped aching. Revision 2: After drilling my tooth, my dentist stopped my cavity from aching. DANGLING INFINITIVE PHRASE: To become a physician, aptitude and hard work are needed. Revision: To become a physician, one needs to have aptitude and to work hard. DANGLING ELLIPTICAL CLAUSE: When fishing, my hook is always baited. Revision 1: When fishing, I always bait my hook. Revision 2: When I am fishing, my hook is always baited. NOTE: Some verbal phrases do not modify any single portion of the main clause but rather the whole of the clause. These are called absolute constructions and are not dangling modifiers. For example: Service on the subway having been halted, we had to walk. The air being hot and humid, we went swimming.