Modifiers Quiz: Test Your English Grammar Skills

Questions and Answers

What is a modifier in a sentence?

A word, phrase, or clause that clarifies or describes another word, phrase, or clause. (correct)

A word, phrase, or clause that divides the sentence into two parts.

A word, phrase, or clause that changes the tone of the sentence.

A word, phrase, or clause that indicates the sentence's punctuation.

What is the result of using modifiers incorrectly?

It leads to confusion and misunderstanding of the message. (correct)

It makes the sentence more humorous.

It leads to clarity and understanding of the message.

It has no effect on the sentence's meaning.

What is a misplaced modifier?

A modifier that is placed correctly in a sentence.

A modifier that is placed too far from the word or words it modifies. (correct)

A modifier that is used to describe the entire sentence.

A modifier that is used to change the sentence's meaning.

What is an example of a misplaced modifier in a sentence?

She wore a bicycle helmet on her head that was too large. Signup and view all the answers

Why do simple modifiers like 'only', 'almost', and 'just' often get used incorrectly?

Because writers often put them in the wrong place. Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of placing modifiers correctly in a sentence?

It clarifies the writer's meaning and prevents confusion. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why 'Rona almost found fifty cents under the sofa cushions' is a confusing sentence?

It is unclear whether Rona found the money or not. Signup and view all the answers

What is a dangling modifier?

A word, phrase, or clause that describes something, but lacks a clear subject. Signup and view all the answers

Why is 'Riding in the sports car, the world whizzed by rapidly' an incorrect sentence?

The sentence lacks a clear subject. Signup and view all the answers

How can you correct a dangling modifier?

By adding a subject to the independent clause. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between 'Riding in the sports car, the world whizzed by rapidly' and 'As Michael was riding in the sports car, the world whizzed by rapidly'?

The first sentence lacks a clear subject, while the second sentence has a clear subject. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between 'The patient was referred to the physician with stomach pains' and 'The patient with stomach pains was referred to the physician'?

The first sentence has a dangling modifier, while the second sentence does not. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Modifiers

A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that clarifies or describes another word, phrase, or clause.
Modifiers can be used correctly or incorrectly, leading to clear or confusing sentences.

Dangling Modifiers

A dangling modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that describes something that has been left out of the sentence.
When a modifier is left dangling, the reader is left wondering what the modifier is supposed to modify.
To correct a dangling modifier, add a subject to the independent clause in the sentence or change the dangling modifier to a dependent clause.

Examples of Dangling Modifiers

Incorrect: Riding in the sports car, the world whizzed by rapidly. (Who is riding in the sports car?)
Correct: As Michael was riding in the sports car, the world whizzed by rapidly.
Incorrect: Walking home at night, the trees looked like spooky aliens. (Who is walking home at night?)
Correct: As Jenny was walking home at night, the trees looked like spooky aliens.

Misplaced Modifiers

A misplaced modifier is a modifier that is placed too far from the word or words it modifies.
Misplaced modifiers make the sentence awkward and sometimes unintentionally humorous.
Examples: Incorrect: She wore a bicycle helmet on her head that was too large. (It sounds like her head was too large.)
Correct: She wore a bicycle helmet that was too large on her head.
Incorrect: They bought a kitten for my brother they call Shadow. (It sounds like they call the brother Shadow.)
Correct: They bought a kitten they call Shadow for my brother.

Common Misplacement of Modifiers

Simple modifiers like only, almost, just, nearly, and barely are often used incorrectly because writers often put them in the wrong place.
Incorrect: Rona almost found fifty cents under the sofa cushions. (It's unclear what "almost" refers to.)
Correct: Rona found almost fifty cents under the sofa cushions. (It's clear that "almost" refers to the amount of money.)

Description

Test your understanding of modifiers, how to identify misplaced and dangling modifiers, and learn to correct sentences with modifier errors. Improve your writing skills and avoid confusion with this quiz!