4. Misplaced Modifiers and Dangling Particles

These are modifiers that are not clearly identified with the words they modify. The closer a modifier is to the word it modifies, the clearer a sentence will be. EXAMPLES: I sitting on the couch, watching television. (INCORRECT) Sitting on the couch, I watch television. (CORRECT) Having seen the movie once, there is no reason to see it again. (INCORRECT) Having seen the movie once, I have no reason to see it again. (CORRECT) Looking at the neighbour, the telephone rang. (INCORRECT – it appears the telephone was looking at the neighbour.) I was looking at the neighbour when the telephone rang. (CORRECT)