Correction: She served the children sandwiches on paper plates. Opening a can of tuna, my finger got cut. The goal may be to say that, since Mary didn’t earn a free ticket, she was disappointed. Furthermore, they can be downright illogical. "Running to catch the train, my bag fell in the puddle" is an example of a dangling modifier. Correction: Eagerly awaiting her birthday, Mary picked up and admired her presents many times throughout the day. The two common types of modifier errors are called misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. Recognizing Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers. Here’s another dangling modifier: Hoping to earn a free ticket, Mary was disappointed by the day. Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier? Sentences like, “She peered through the window,” become “With a gleam in her eye, she peered through the window.”. understanding a sentence. 5. The example above suggests that a gold man owns a watch. Who knows how you’ll incorporate them as modifiers into your next bit of writing? Dangling vs. Misplaced Modifiers DRAFT. As such, it should be revised to: Correction: He drove the car for nearly six hours a day. Why don't libraries smell like bookstores? The sentence should be rewritten so the modifier actually modifies Mary. Either way, they’re sure to add more detail, something your readers will love. This is the currently selected item. The statement is not a dangling modifier or misplaced modifier, the statement has a dangling modifier or misplaced modifier. And, the further away they get, the more it looks like they’re modifying something else entirely. Watch out for the words only, just, merely, nearly, and almost. Draw one line under the dangling modifier in each of the following sentences. Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers DANGLING MODIFIERS A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that does not logically modify any word in the sentence in which it appears. ... 11 Questions Show answers. Both may be correct. Emma Sue was delighted when Mr. Nguyen returned her perfect calculus test with an ear-to-ear grin. Correction: Last week, the Atlanta police reported that three offices were robbed. That would be… unique. Grammar Quiz #10: Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers By Mark Nichol Each of the following sentences includes a modifying phrase that confuses because it the statement is erroneously constructed or because the phrase is incorrectly located in the sentence. 3. However, the word order makes the meaning slightly ambiguous or misleading. SURVEY . Determine if the modifiers in these sentences have hit their intended targets. How many candles are on a Hanukkah menorah? Watch out for the two modifier mistakes: Dangling Modifiers; Misplaced Modifiers; Dangling Modifiers “A dangling modifier is a word or word group that refers to (or modifies) a word or phrase that has … Sentences would be pretty dull without modifiers to provide excitement and intrigue. Parallel structure . For more examples of dangling modifiers, refer to chompchomp.. 2. Sometimes writers use modifiers incorrectly, leading to strange and unintentionally humorous sentences. Or, they can work with verbs to provide more information. The best misplaced and dangling modifiers of all time Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers Dangling Modifiers Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers Think you understand dangling and misplaced modifiers? The most logical explanation is that Mary was eagerly awaiting her own birthday. Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that clarifies or describes another word, phrase, or clause. And the following examples will show how. When they stray too far, they become misplaced modifiers. 1. The two common types of modifier errors are called misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. Here, there’s no mention of her mind. Correction: People who rarely laugh are sad. Misplaced modifiers can usually be corrected by moving the modifier to a more sensible place in the sentence, generally next to the word it modifies. In other words, no other pastor paid $5 to clean the sidewalk. Answers: 1. In either version, the outcomes are drastically different. However, it’s important for modifiers to stick close to the word or words they’re modifying. Meanwhile, the intent is to emphasize that Pastor Johnson only paid a meager amount. However, when an entire phrase is used, misplaced modifiers become more common. Correction: This sentence could be corrected by adding a proper subjectidentifying the person … 1. Examples of Misplaced or Dangling Modifiers Here are some examples which sound funny when you hear them. 0% average accuracy. Tired of all of the nights in hotels, delight overcame by Mitch when his boss finally said he didn't have to travel anymore. answers. This sentence makes it seem like the children were on paper plates. 17. The two common types of modifier errors are called misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. Misplaced And Dangling Modifiers Exercise 1 Answer Key - Displaying top 8 worksheets found for this concept.. Or, is it people who rarely laugh become sad? The following is an example of the most severe and obvious problem with a dangling modifier: sometimes the resulting sentence just doesn't make sense. In a clear, logical sentence, you will find most modifiers right next to the words they describe: The waitress served Gilbert a plate of gray meatloaf sauced with lumpy gravy. The goal is to modify the sandwiches. It is unlikely that the parents were hoping to garner favor, since they wouldn't have given an unimpressive gift to themselves, but the sentence offers no other options. structure when a grammatical modifier is associated with a word Don’t forget: students can always ask tutors or their teachers for an explanation of We can correct this sentence by moving the proper subject next to the modifier. Modifiers dress up otherwise plain sentiments. As adjective modifiers, they can stand in front of or behind nouns. I am sure my smart brains have understood the topic and will be able to identify dangling modifiers in a sentence and fix them. it appears to apply to nothing in particular, or to the school Fishing for trout, our boat tipped over. Correction: She failed almost every exam she took. Here, this sentence makes it seem as though Mary's presents were eagerly awaiting Mary's birthday. How about a massive list of adjective words? For What are some samples of opening remarks for a Christmas party? other than the one intended, or with no particular word at all. She vowed on her birthday to go skydiving. It’s more common in writing that uses passive voice. Beaten to a bloody pulp by a quicker and stronger opponent, the little girl hugged her downcast father after the boxing match. A dangling modifier is a word or phrase (often a participle or participial phrase) that doesn't actually modify the word it's intended to modify. 0. We need gas badly. You’ll see more examples of these in another post. ambiguities can lead to unintentional humor or difficulty in When did organ music become associated with baseball? The material on this site can not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with prior written permission of Multiply. a word or a phrase which does not clearly refer to the part of a sentence which is modified What is a sample Christmas party welcome address? Sentences would be pretty dull without modifiers to provide excitement and intrigue. INCORRECT: Relieved of your responsibilities at your job, your home should be a place to relax. 2. Misplacement of adverbs can sometimes change the meaning of a sentence. Play this game to review English. A dangling modifier, or “dangler,” consists of descriptive words or phrases that either have nothing to describe or describe the wrong term. Then decide whether or not it contains a misplaced or dangling modifier. The intent is to say that he drove for nearly six hours a day. A typical example of a dangling modifier is the sentence, Example. modifying clause Turning the corner is clearly supposed to describe They are incorrect and the reason is explained after the given example. Adjectives are typically placed before the words they’re modifying or after the helping verbs. Sometimes writers use modifiers incorrectly, leading to strange and unintentionally humorous sentences. Such The dog cannot read the regulations; the word (s) that “reading the regulations” modifies have been omitted. We’ve almost found all the pieces of the shattered vase. Dangling modifiers and parallel structure. 4. In some cases, a dangling modifier refers to a word that doesn't even appear in the sentence. Kevin, running quickly, disappeared around the corner. 20. It may be true that this student almost failed every exam. is a word, phrase, or clause that clarifies or describes another word, phrase, or clause. Answer: James Bond likes his martinis shaken, not stirred. Grammar Worksheets: Misplaced and Dangling Participles, Answers and Tips 1. A misplaced or dangling modifier, is an error in sentence Problem: This is a dangling modifier because it is unclear who or what was hoping to garner favor. Technically, there’s nothing wrong with this sentence. So, that’s all about dangling modifiers. Dangling modifiers . Up Next. 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