BBB3013 MODIFIERS in writing

BBB3013 MODIFIERS

in writing

by Wan Nurhafeza Wan Salam

​ELC/PPAL/UMT

This lesson will focus on

general idea of modifiers.

Please refer to Lessons on Adjective, Adverb, Phrases and Clauses to know more how modifiers can be utilised in writing (ex: Pre-modifiers (noun), Post-modifiers (verb), etc.).

Multiple Choice

What is a modifier?

• A very confusing word/phrase/clause in a sentence.

• A word/phrase/clause which modifies other words in a sentence.

• A grammatical mistake and a misleading sentence.

Multiple Select

A modifier adds information

to another element in the sentence.

A modifier can be ________

• adjectives

• adverbs

• phrase

• clause

Multiple Choice

What is the category of the underlined modifier?

The black book.

• word

• phrase

• clause

Multiple Choice

What is the category of the word

black

to the Noun/Subject, book?

• An adjective

• An adverb

• A preposition

Multiple Choice

What is the category of the underlined modifier?

The black book on the desk.

• word

• phrase

• clause

Multiple Choice

What is the category of the phrase

 on the desk

to the Noun Phrase (NP)/Subject, The black book?

• Noun Phrase (NP)

• Verb Phrase (VP)

• Prepositional Phrase (PP)

Multiple Choice

What is the category of the underlined modifier?

The black book that we bought online

• word

• phrase

• clause

​Modifiers in writing bring your sentences to life!

Multiple Choice

Which word is a subject (Noun)?

The old shoe was full of mud.

• old

• shoe

• full

• was

Multiple Choice

Ok, then which word is a modifier to the subject (N=noun)?

The old shoe was full of mud.

• old

• shoe

• full

• was

[​(DET)+ (Adj)+ (N) ] + [ (V) + (Adj) + ((P) +(N)) ]

( PP)

[ (NP) ] + [ VP]

SUBJECT + PREDICATE

Multiple Choice

Which word (Noun) is being modified?

His costume, which was quite original, was just a cardboard box.

• costume

• original

• cardboard

• quite

Multiple Choice

Which of phrase is a modifier to the Subject (Noun)?

His costume, which was quite original, was just a cardboard box.

• His

• which was quite original,

• was just a cardboard box.

Multiple Choice

What word or phrase describes cheering?

We joined the crowd in cheering with enthusiasm for the winner.

• We

  (Noun)

  (Subject)

• joined the crowd

  [V + [DET+N)]

  [V + NP]

  (VP)

• with enthusiasm

  [P + N ]

  (PP)

• for the winner.

  [P + [DET+N)]

  [P + NP]

  (PP)

Multiple Choice

She saw a puppy and a kitten on the way to the store.

What type of modifier problem is this?

• Misplaced Modifier

• Dangling Modifier

Open Ended

She saw a puppy and a kitten on the way to the store.

To correct this Misplaced Modifier, rewrite and add Noun or subject to the modifier.

​Example of improved modifier:

Multiple Choice

With one last look at the room, the door closed.

What type of modifier problem is this?

• Misplaced Modifier

• Dangling Modifier

Open Ended

With one last look at the room, the door closed.

To correct this Dangling Modifier, rewrite and add Noun or subject to the modifier.

​Example of improved modifier:

Watch the next video lessons on

how to answer MCQ question

on proper modifier placement in sentence.

Note:

SAT is a standardised test in U.S..

It is similar to SPM examination in Malaysia.

There are TWO final videos on similar topic.
You may watch them all for better understanding of modifier or skip them altogether.

Open Ended

What have you learned?

Open Ended

Phew! Do you have any questions or comments?