Chapter X: Dangling Modifiers

2301晨花鹿

In English writing, a modifier must clearly and logically relate to the word it modifies. When it doesn't, it creates a dangling modifier—a structure where the intended subject is unclear. In Chinese, a paratactic language, meaning often depends on context. However, English demands explicit grammatical connections, making dangling modifiers a frequent pitfall, especially in translation.

1. Dangling Participles
An opening participial phrase must logically modify the subject of the main clause. If it doesn't, confusion arises.
Example (Incorrect):
Conveniently situated, traffic from Jin Hui Tower to Beijing Airport takes only 1/2 hour via the Third Ring Road.
Here, "Conveniently situated" seems to modify "traffic," which is illogical. The phrase should modify "Jin Hui Tower," not "traffic."
Corrected:
The Jin Hui Tower is conveniently situated, only 1/2 hour from Beijing Airport via the Third Ring Road.

Note: Some participial phrases like "Generally speaking" or "Judging from..." are so commonly used independently that they no longer cause confusion, and their dangling use is accepted.

2. Dangling Gerunds
When a gerund phrase (-ing form + object) appears at the beginning, its implied subject must match the main clause's subject.

3. Dangling Infinitives
An opening infinitive phrase must also share its subject with the main clause.
Example (Correct):
To guarantee the establishment of a market system, we must have a complete legal system.
Here, "we" are logically the ones "guaranteeing."

4. Dangling Prepositional Phrases
Prepositional phrases (like "with," "after," "by") must logically fit the subject they precede.
Example (Incorrect):
With a favorable environment and preferential government policies, any investment is assured of healthy returns.
Clearly, it's not the investment itself that has the environment or policies.
Corrected:
With a favorable environment and preferential government policies, Jiangxi Province ensures that any investment will bring healthy returns.
Another common error:
After years of effort, Gao said that soil erosion has been brought under control.
The effort relates to "soil erosion being controlled," not to "Gao said."
Corrected:
Gao said that after years of effort, soil erosion has been brought under control.
5. Dangling Individual Adjectives
Adjectives can function as free modifiers, but they must modify the appropriate noun.
Example (Incorrect):
Tall and shy, Diana's stylish gowns were recently auctioned off for $5.7 million.
"Tall and shy" describes Diana, not her gowns.
Corrected:
The stylish gowns of tall, shy Diana were recently auctioned off for $5.7 million.