Weekly Pointers: Dodging Dangling Participles

Before we get into the dangling participle conversation, we first need to refresh our minds on participles. So, what are they?

Participles do a few different things, and we use them all the time. Participles of verbs are typically used as adjectives, most often with subordinate clauses that tell readers more about the main clause of the sentence.

Present participles always end with “ing.” So, if the verb is “walk,” the present participle is “walking.”

If you used “walk” as a verb, you might say:

She walks to school.

If you used “walking” as a participle, you might say:

I set out on the walking trail.

Here, the participle “walking” is used as an adjective, describing the noun “trail.”

Now, let’s talk about participial phrases.

Participial phrases use a participle and can include other words to modify the subject of the sentence. They are subordinate clauses, like we discussed above.

To use the participle “walking” again, you might say:

Walking out of school, Lily remembered she left her homework in her locker.

“Walking out of school” is the participial phrase that modifies the subject, “Lily.” “Walking” is the participle that describes what Lily is doing.

Let’s look at another example:

Driving to the store, Christopher made a mental list of the items he needed to buy.

“Driving to the store” is the participial phrase that modifies the subject, “Christopher.” “Driving” is the participle that describes what Christopher is doing.

However, if the participles are not used correctly, the end result will be a little confusing. That end result will most likely be a dangling participle.

In the examples above, the subject came right after the participial phrase, ensuring that the reader wouldn’t misunderstand the modifier. If we were to alter these sentences, moving the clear subject, the modifying participle would be left dangling. For example:

Walking out of school, the homework was still in Lily’s locker.

“The homework” cannot walk out of school. Clearly, the intended subject for this participial phrase is misplaced.

Here’s another:

            Driving to the store, the mental list grew longer and longer.

Since “the mental list” cannot drive to the store, we are left to believe that the participle is dangling.

You can fix this problem by double-checking that your participial phrase has a clear subject to be modified. If not, add one in! Don’t leave those participles hanging out to fend for themselves!