dangling modifier

noun

dangling modifier

noun

Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences A word or clause that qualifies another word or clause ambiguously, sometimes causing confusion (as to which meaning was intended) or (more often) causing unintended humorousness.

The dangling modifier is a curse of modern writing, particularly obituaries.2004, Wynford Hicks, Quite Literally: Problem Words and how to Use Them, Psychology Press, →ISBN, page 45:

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.