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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

When is an infinitive phrase a dangling modifier?

Hi, All.

I'm quite confused with the following sentence:

To write a song, an inspiration might be needed.

Is the infinitive phrase here a dangling participle, as it doesn't have a logical doer to perform the action implied by the phrase, or is it simply an adverbial phrase modifying the verb phrase?
  

Top answer

In the first place, infinitives are not participles. However, it seems a simple adverbial to me: An inspiration might be needed to write a song.

— Mister Micawber

  • In the first place, infinitives are not participles.
  • However, it seems a simple adverbial to me: An inspiration might be needed to write a song.
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9 Answers
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In the first place, infinitives are not participles. However, it seems a simple adverbial to me:

An inspiration might be needed to write a song.
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Thank you Mister Micawber, and sorry bout that. I mean dangling infinitives. Is there such a case?
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Well, I've never heard the phrase, but I suppose it's possible. Something like this, perhaps?—

To close the door, they wanted him.
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I just thought that infinitives can also dangle, as they also function as adjectives and adverbs. Anyway, I suppose the above sentence can be fixed by relocating the infinitive phrase after him. Isn't it?
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Yes, that is what I had in mind: then it wouldn't be dangling. Maybe someone else can come up with a better example.
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I got this example from the net.

"To determine whether pH changed through time, soil was sampled monthly."

(Source: http://jaffeerevises.com/dangling.htm)
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Hmm. I think it is in part a created problem, not a real one. As I did before, if I move the infinitive clause to the end, I get this:

Soil was sampled monthly.to determine whether pH changed through time,

Now evidently (i.e. according to that link), the Chicago Manual of Style still does not like it:

How about relocating the infinitive phrase? 'Soil was samp
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I'll take your word for it Mister Micawber. Thanks a lot.
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I, too, saw this structure identified as a dangling modifier and was perplexed, until I read more about infinitive phrases. They can function as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs:

I like to read. (direct object)

I have a job to do. (modifies "job," a noun, and is therefore an adjective phrase)

I baked a cake on Tuesday to celebrate. (modifies "baked," answering why, and

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