Mastering Misplaced Modifiers and Dangling Participles Flashcard

Front

What is a misplaced modifier?

Back

A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word it modifies, leading to confusion or ambiguity in a sentence.

Front

What is a dangling participle?

Back

A dangling participle is a participial phrase that does not clearly and logically modify a noun or pronoun in the sentence, often leading to confusion about what is being described.

Front

How can you correct a dangling participle?

Back

To correct a dangling participle, you can either add a noun or pronoun that the participle can logically modify or restructure the sentence to clarify the intended meaning.

Front

Provide an example of a sentence with a dangling participle.

Back

"Walking down the street, the flowers caught my attention." (This implies the flowers were walking down the street.)

Front

What is a participial phrase?

Back

A participial phrase consists of a participle and any modifiers or complements it may have, functioning as an adjective in a sentence.

Front

Identify a sentence that correctly uses a participial phrase.

Back

"Excited for the concert, she bought the tickets months in advance."

Front

What is the purpose of modifiers in a sentence?

Back

Modifiers provide additional information about a noun or verb, helping to clarify or enhance the meaning of the sentence.

Front

How can you avoid dangling participles in your writing?

Back

To avoid dangling participles, ensure that the subject of the participial phrase is clearly stated in the sentence.

Front

What is the difference between a dangling participle and a misplaced modifier?

Back

A dangling participle lacks a clear subject to modify, while a misplaced modifier is incorrectly positioned, leading to ambiguity.

Front

Provide an example of a sentence with a misplaced modifier.

Back

"She almost drove her kids to school every day." (This implies she nearly did, but did not actually drive them.)