Sunday, June 7, 2009

Pardon Me, But Your Modifier Is Dangling

I've spent a fair amount of time lately thinking about grammar. I know I will be teaching plenty of it when I go back to work in the fall. I always enjoyed talking about dangling and misplaced modifiers with students. They can lead to some funny sentences. Here's an example: Hanging on the wall, my mother admired the painting. I used to have a great collection of them, but I cannot find it. I'm asking you, my dear readers, for help and entertainment. Can you compose a sentence which is humorous because of a misplaced or dangling modifier so I can build a new collection? If so, post it in the comments, and I will be forever grateful (and hopefully amused). Keep 'em clean! Here are two more to inspire you:

Covered in frosting and sprinkles, I ate the cupcake.

We saw several monkeys on vacation in Brazil.

5 comments:

Lawyer Mom said...

Clinging to the vine, he admired the lush tomatoes.

Lame!

Anonymous said...

Wrapped in tissue paper and ribbon, John opened his birthday gift.

Belle said...

These are hilarious! I can't think of anything offhand (I really should be in bed, I think) but it reminds me of Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss. Very funny book.

Wendy said...

All the supplies where there for my husband lying on the table.

Wendy said...

It probably helps to spell correctly when you're dangling your modifiers. Although, if one is going to be heinous, one might as well do it up right, yes? :)