Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers ACT Practice

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 or describes, leading to confusion or ambiguity.

Front

What is a dangling modifier?

Back

A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence, often leading to unclear or illogical sentences.

Front

How can you identify a misplaced modifier in a sentence?

Back

Look for modifiers that are not placed next to the word they are supposed to modify, which can create confusion about what is being described.

Front

What is the effect of a dangling modifier on sentence clarity?

Back

A dangling modifier can make a sentence unclear or misleading, as it may suggest that the subject of the sentence is something other than what was intended.

Front

Provide an example of a sentence with a misplaced modifier.

Back

"She almost drove her kids to school every day." (The modifier 'almost' is misplaced, suggesting she nearly did it, rather than she did it almost every day.)

Front

Provide an example of a sentence with a dangling modifier.

Back

"After reading the book, the movie was disappointing." (The modifier 'after reading the book' is dangling because it does not clearly indicate who read the book.)

Front

What is the correct placement of modifiers in a sentence?

Back

Modifiers should be placed as close as possible to the words they modify to avoid confusion.

Front

How can you revise a sentence with a dangling modifier?

Back

To revise a sentence with a dangling modifier, clarify the subject of the modifier by explicitly stating who or what is being modified.

Front

What role do commas play in modifying phrases?

Back

Commas can help clarify the meaning of modifying phrases by separating them from the main clause, making it clear what is being modified.

Front

What is the difference between a restrictive and non-restrictive modifier?

Back

A restrictive modifier provides essential information about the noun it modifies, while a non-restrictive modifier adds extra information and is usually set off by commas.