Comments on: Dangling Modifiers—A Common Writing Mistake http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/19/dangling-modifiers-a-common-writing-mistake/ Write well. Write often. Edit wisely. Fri, 18 May 2012 19:51:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Beth http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/19/dangling-modifiers-a-common-writing-mistake/#comment-72 Beth Tue, 22 Jun 2010 03:44:19 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=235#comment-72 Olivia, I think I've found at least one dangling modifier in every manuscript I've read. Sometimes they're just sneaky. Olivia, I think I’ve found at least one dangling modifier in every manuscript I’ve read. Sometimes they’re just sneaky.

]]> By: Olivia Cunning http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/19/dangling-modifiers-a-common-writing-mistake/#comment-69 Olivia Cunning Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:43:21 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=235#comment-69 Oh dear. I'm sure I've done this more than once. Thanks for the tips so I know what to look for. Great, helpful article, Beth. Oh dear. I’m sure I’ve done this more than once. Thanks for the tips so I know what to look for. Great, helpful article, Beth.

]]> By: Beth http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/19/dangling-modifiers-a-common-writing-mistake/#comment-66 Beth Sun, 20 Jun 2010 18:06:54 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=235#comment-66 Kat, they do make for variety, so I consider them useful. But when they create unintended humor... Judi, they're easy to miss. But I'm guessing you won't have many in the latest, if any. Kat, they do make for variety, so I consider them useful. But when they create unintended humor…

Judi, they’re easy to miss. But I’m guessing you won’t have many in the latest, if any.

]]> By: Judi Fennell http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/19/dangling-modifiers-a-common-writing-mistake/#comment-65 Judi Fennell Sun, 20 Jun 2010 14:48:23 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=235#comment-65 sigh... I'm off to read through the WIP one more time before you get it - I'm sure I'll miss a few of these. sigh… I’m off to read through the WIP one more time before you get it – I’m sure I’ll miss a few of these.

]]> By: Kat Sheridan http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/19/dangling-modifiers-a-common-writing-mistake/#comment-63 Kat Sheridan Sun, 20 Jun 2010 13:06:17 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=235#comment-63 Outstanding article, and the examples made me laugh! I try to avoid beginning a sentence with a modifier, dangling or otherwise, unless I'm just going for some variety in the sentences. You really know how to take a tough topic and make it easy! Outstanding article, and the examples made me laugh! I try to avoid beginning a sentence with a modifier, dangling or otherwise, unless I’m just going for some variety in the sentences. You really know how to take a tough topic and make it easy!

]]> By: Beth http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/19/dangling-modifiers-a-common-writing-mistake/#comment-62 Beth Sun, 20 Jun 2010 04:29:28 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=235#comment-62 Lisa, I've got the not-too-functional brain going myself tonight. And the fingers to match. But if I wasn't totally clear, someone please let me know. Lisa, I’ve got the not-too-functional brain going myself tonight. And the fingers to match. But if I wasn’t totally clear, someone please let me know.

]]> By: Beth http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/19/dangling-modifiers-a-common-writing-mistake/#comment-61 Beth Sun, 20 Jun 2010 04:27:42 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=235#comment-61 Vivian, you mean we'd know the character was speaking/thinking that way and not the author? I'm sure it's possible, but it might be too subtle for the reader to catch. And still the reader is going to stop and reread when he comes across this construction. You don't want anything that takes the reader out of the fiction to instead focus on the writing. Vivian, you mean we’d know the character was speaking/thinking that way and not the author?

I’m sure it’s possible, but it might be too subtle for the reader to catch. And still the reader is going to stop and reread when he comes across this construction. You don’t want anything that takes the reader out of the fiction to instead focus on the writing.

]]> By: Vivian A http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/19/dangling-modifiers-a-common-writing-mistake/#comment-59 Vivian A Sun, 20 Jun 2010 04:16:03 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=235#comment-59 Love the writing tips, Beth. Question, stylistically speaking, would it ever be appropriate to assign dangling modifiers to a single character as a speech delineation, or is it always a no-no? Don't know if I'd ever use it because it is confusing, but could you see it working? Love the writing tips, Beth.

Question, stylistically speaking, would it ever be appropriate to assign dangling modifiers to a single character as a speech delineation, or is it always a no-no?

Don’t know if I’d ever use it because it is confusing, but could you see it working?

]]> By: Lisa K. http://theeditorsblog.net/2010/06/19/dangling-modifiers-a-common-writing-mistake/#comment-57 Lisa K. Sun, 20 Jun 2010 02:35:00 +0000 http://theeditorsblog.net/?p=235#comment-57 Excellent advice. This is something I've been trying so hard to watch out for in my own writing. I think I'm going to bookmark this post and come back to it again when my brain is more functional. Excellent advice. This is something I’ve been trying so hard to watch out for in my own writing. I think I’m going to bookmark this post and come back to it again when my brain is more functional.

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