top of page
  • Writer's pictureThe Wandering Minstrel

(D)angling for sense

Updated: Nov 30, 2018

Let's see if I can talk a bit about a very common grammatical error that many of us make, which sometimes have unintended comical consequences.


Picture source: https://www.unexpected.org/2013/01/its-okay-to-dangle/


What is a dangling participle?

Put simply, a phrase in a sentence that is rather like an orphan, trying its best to forge a link with the rest of the sentence. Despite the best intentions of the writer, a dangling participle can end up confusing the most astute reader. An example: "Being a sunny day, I decided to go for a walk." So am I the sunny day here? A more coherent construction would be: "As it was a sunny day, I decided to go for a walk."


A classic and some ripsnorters

Even the Bard wasn’t immune to this! “Sleeping in mine orchard, a serpent stung me.” (Hamlet)

A few more sparklers, for good measure:

  • Walking down the cliff, his smile went brighter.

  • Born in India, his most famous work is Geetanjali.


But the last word on this has to be a pearler that I came across in a letter of regret to one of the innumerable job applications I made in a past life: "After careful consideration, you have unfortunately not been successful on this occasion." Huh! Talk about victim blaming!


Recommended reading: https://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2011/09/26/participles-how-not-to-dangle/


33 views1 comment

Recent Posts

See All

1 Comment


Jackson aidan
Jackson aidan
Jul 02, 2022

no doubt this is one of the finest pieces of information that you have shared here with us regarding grammatical errors. All of us have experience with online content and language mistakes. As such, we would like to provide grammar error tips to help you write better content. but still, if anyone wants to hire professional proofreading services then we are 24/7 available for assistance.

Like
bottom of page