Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers

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. It often creates confusion about what is being modified.

Front

What is a misplaced modifier?

Back

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

Front

Identify the error: 'The teacher passed out the test to the students he had just created.'

Back

This sentence contains a misplaced modifier, suggesting the teacher created the students.

Front

Identify the error: 'While on vacation last December, Kyle encountered a coyote skiing in the mountains.'

Back

This sentence contains a misplaced modifier, implying the coyote was skiing.

Front

How can you correct a misplaced modifier?

Back

To correct a misplaced modifier, rearrange the sentence so that the modifier is placed next to the word it is intended to modify.

Front

Correct the sentence: 'Everyone warned the child not to get too close to the dog in the house that snarled all the time.'

Back

Corrected: 'Everyone warned the child not to get too close to the house which had a dog that snarled all the time.'

Front

What is the main purpose of modifiers in a sentence?

Back

Modifiers provide additional information about a noun or verb, helping to clarify meaning and add detail.

Front

Identify the error: 'Crawling up the wall beside the blender, my grandmother saw the tarantula and screamed.'

Back

This sentence contains a misplaced modifier, suggesting that the grandmother was crawling.

Front

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

Back

A dangling modifier lacks a clear subject to modify, while a misplaced modifier is incorrectly placed, leading to confusion about what it modifies.

Front

Provide an example of a dangling modifier.

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Example: 'After reading the book, the movie was disappointing.' (It suggests the movie read the book.)