Grammar & Mechanics
Dangling Modifier
Flags introductory participial phrases whose implied subject doesn't match the main clause.
What It Does
Detects sentences that open with a participial phrase (e.g., "Walking to the store,") followed by an inanimate or mismatched subject in the main clause.
Why It Matters
Dangling modifiers create unintentional comedy ("Running down the street, the lamp post caught my eye" — the lamp post is running?) and signal amateur writing.
What Gets Flagged
| Severity | Example | Why | Suggested Revision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warning | "Walking to the store, the rain started." | Rain can't walk | "Walking to the store, she got caught in the rain." |
| Warning | "Looking up, the stars filled the sky." | Stars aren't looking | "Looking up, she saw the stars filling the sky." |
Configuration
No configuration options. Uses NLP and a heuristic inanimate-subject list.
Technical Details
- Source:
prose-craft - Scope: Line-level
- Method: Regex-based participial phrase detection + NLP subject classification