Modifiers Part 2 (and 1 review)

Modifiers Part 1 & 2

Is the modifer misplaced? Is the modifier dangling?

Multiple Choice

What is a modifier?

• A word, clause, or phrase that combines two independent clauses.

• The word, clause, or phrase that describes another element in the sentence.

• The target of the what a word, clause, or phrase describes.

• The target and modifier in a sentence.

Examples:

• The hat on the table belongs to Frosty. (On the table gives more information/describes the hat)

• Up on the housetop, reindeer pause.

• The children eagerly waited for winter break.

Multiple Choice

Where should the modifier be in the sentence?

• Before the semicolon

• The first word of the sentence

• Right before or after the target (aka what it's describing)

• The last word of a sentence

Misplaced Modifiers

(Warning: may lead to SILLY sentences)

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence contain a misplaced modifier?

In her sock drawer, Angela found her missing wallet.

• Misplaced modifier

• No error

Multiple Choice

Which sentence does NOT contain a misplaced modifier?

• Charles saw a dog washing the car.

• While washing the car, the dog is what Charles saw.

• While washing the car, Charles saw a dog.

• Charles saw the dog while he was washing the car.

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence contain a misplaced modifier? Why/why not?

Billy ate the spicy bag of chips.

• Misplaced modifier --- Billy is spicy.

• Misplaced modifier --- The bag is spicy.

• No error --- The chips are spicy.

Dangling Modifiers

More examples:

• In the chair, the lamp made Josh's reading easier.

• To improve his essay, each page was proofread.

• After camping all weekend, the city feels chaotic.

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence contain a dangling modifier?

Helping the mother find her ticket, the train left.

• Dangling modifier

• No error

Multiple Choice

Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?

• Hungry, the pizza was devoured.

• The pizza was devoured by the hungry students.

• The hungry students devoured the pizza.

• Hungry, the students devoured the pizza.