NCO Primary Leadership Subjects
Logical Arrangement, Continued
A modifier is dangling if doesn't make sense when connected to the word or phrase
Avoid dangling
that it modifies. In the following examples, the modifiers are shown in italics. The
modifiers
words they modify are underlined.
Examples:
After unlocking the door, the cat refused to go out.
DANGLING:
After I unlocked the door, the cat refused to go out.
CLEAR:
After taking our seats, the movie began.
DANGLING:
After we took our seats, the movie began.
CLEAR:
After taking our seats, we watched the movie.
CLEAR:
Ambiguous modifiers unintentionally modify words beyond the intended word. In
Avoid
the examples below, the modified words are shown in italics.
ambiguous
modifiers
Examples:
Report any unauthorized use or misuse of equipment.
AMBIGUOUS:
Report any misuse or unauthorized use of equipment.
CLEAR:
Turn in damaged equipment and scrap on Fridays.
AMBIGUOUS:
Turn in scrap and damaged equipment on Fridays.
CLEAR:
Continued on next page
Writing Mechanics and Composition
3-33
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