Understanding Misplaced Modifiers

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Questions and Answers

Which sentence demonstrates the correct placement of a modifying phrase?

She admired the intricate spiderwebs covered in morning dew in the garden.
Covered in morning dew, she admired the intricate spiderwebs in the garden. (correct)
In the garden, she admired the spiderwebs, covered in morning dew and intricate.
She admired the intricate spiderwebs in the garden, covered in morning dew.

Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?

Eager to start his new job, Mark set his alarm early.
After the rain, a rainbow appeared in the sky.
I returned the book to the library that I borrowed last week.
Singing loudly, the radio blasted my eardrums. (correct)

In which sentence is the modifying phrase placed most effectively?

The committee submitted the report with detailed findings. (correct)
The report, with detailed findings, was submitted by the committee.
The report was submitted with detailed findings by the committee.
With detailed findings, the report was submitted by the committee.

Choose the sentence that corrects the misplaced modifier: 'The cake was served to the children on paper plates.'

The children were served the cake on paper plates. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best identifies the issue in the sentence: 'Walking through the park, the flowers smelled lovely.'

Dangling modifier (D) Signup and view all the answers

Identify the sentence with a squinting modifier.

My sister said on Friday she would finish the project. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence correctly rectifies the squinting modifier in the sentence: 'John told his friend yesterday he would fix the car.'

Yesterday, John told his friend he would fix the car. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How can you revise the following sentence to correct the dangling modifier: 'Having finished the game, a shower was a great idea.'

Having finished the game, the players thought a shower was a great idea. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Select the option that correctly revises the following sentence: 'To succeed in college, good study habits are essential.'

To succeed in college, one must develop good study habits. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence demonstrates correct modification and clarity?

The dog, leaping over the fence, chased the squirrel in the yard. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Misplaced Modifier

A modifying word, phrase, or clause that seems to modify the wrong word or word group in a sentence.

Squinting Modifier

A misplaced modifier that seems to modify either of two words, creating ambiguity.

Dangling Modifier

A modifying word, phrase, or clause that does not clearly and sensibly modify any word or word group in a sentence.

Correcting Misplaced Modifiers

Place the modifying word, phrase, or clause as close as possible to the word or words you intend it to modify.

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Correcting Dangling Modifiers

Add or replace words to make the meaning of the sentence clear and sensible.

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Study Notes

Misplaced Modifiers

A modifying word, phrase, or clause that seems to modify the wrong word or word group in a sentence defines a misplaced modifier
To correct a misplaced modifier, place the modifying word, phrase, or clause as close as possible to the word or words intended to be modified

Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

MISPLACED: Undaunted, the storm did not prevent the crew from setting sail as planned
CORRECT: The storm did not prevent the undaunted crew from setting sail as planned
MISPLACED: Uncle Carmine saw a deer bounding across a meadow on his way to work
CORRECT: On his way to work, Uncle Carmine saw a deer bounding across a meadow
MISPLACED: They were delighted to see a field of daffodils climbing up the hill
CORRECT: Climbing up the hill, they were delighted to see a field of daffodils
MISPLACED: The coach praised his players for playing their best as he gave out the trophies
CORRECT: As he gave out the trophies, the coach praised his players for playing their best
MISPLACED: A few years ago, a resident of our town bequeathed her entire estate to the animal shelter, which was valued at two million dollars
CORRECT: A few years ago, a resident of our town bequeathed her entire estate, which was valued at two million dollars, to the animal shelter

Squinting Modifiers

A modifying word, phrase, or clause seems to modify either of two words.
This misplaced modifier is called a squinting, or a two-way, modifier

Examples of Squinting Modifiers

MISPLACED: The prime minister said yesterday her opponent spoke honestly
CORRECT: Yesterday, the prime minister said her opponent spoke honestly
CORRECT: The prime minister said her opponent spoke honestly yesterday
MISPLACED: The manager told the two rookies after the game to report to the dugout
CORRECT: After the game the manager told the two rookies to report to the dugout
CORRECT: The manager told the two rookies to report to the dugout after the game
MISPLACED: The mayor said when the city council met he would discuss the proposed budget
CORRECT: When the city council met, the mayor said he would discuss the proposed budget
CORRECT: The mayor said he would discuss the proposed budget when the city council met

Dangling Modifiers

A modifying word, phrase, or clause that does not clearly and sensibly modify any word or word group in a sentence defines a dangling modifier.
To correct a dangling modifier, add or replace words to make the meaning of the sentence clear and sensible

Examples of Dangling Modifiers

DANGLING: Determined, Christy Haubegger's plan was to publish a bilingual magazine for Hispanic women
CORRECT: Determined, Christy Haubegger planned to publish a bilingual magazine for Hispanic women
CORRECT: Christy Haubegger was determined to publish a bilingual magazine for Hispanic women
DANGLING: Having selected a college, a trip to the campus was planned
CORRECT: Having selected a college, my friend and I planned a trip to the campus
CORRECT: After we selected a college, my friend and I planned a trip to the campus
DANGLING: After researching the African American oral tradition in Florida, the book Mules and Men was written
CORRECT: After researching the African American oral tradition in Florida, Zora Neale Hurston wrote the book Mules and Men
CORRECT: After Zora Neale Hurston researched the African American oral tradition in Florida, she wrote the book Mules and Men
DANGLING: While wrapping the gifts, Murphy, my pet terrier, kept trying to untie the bows
CORRECT: While I was wrapping the gifts, Murphy, my pet terrier, kept trying to untie the bows
CORRECT: While wrapping the gifts, I noticed that Murphy, my pet terrier, kept trying to untie the bows