Get the FREE one-click dictionary software for Windows
or the iPhone/iPad and Android apps
Noun: dangling modifier
  1. A word or phrase apparently modifying an unintended word because of its placement in a sentence: e.g., ‘when young’ in ‘when young, circuses appeal to all of us’
    "In 'Walking down the street, the trees were beautiful', 'walking down the street' is a dangling modifier";
    - misplaced modifier

Derived forms: dangling modifiers

Type of: modifier, qualifier

Encyclopedia: Dangling modifier