Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers Lesson

Misplaced/Dangling Modifiers

7th Grade ELA

What is a Modifier?

A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that adds description to a sentence.

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Typically, you will find a modifier snuggled right next to—either in front of or behind—the word it logically describes.

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​SHARE OUT 🤚: What types of words or phrases can be modifiers ?

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Sometimes, a writer places a modifier too far away from the word it should describe.

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Born in the confusion is a misplaced modifier.

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Misplaced Modifiers

Multiple Choice

What is a misplaced modifier?

• A modifier that is not close to the word it describes

• A modifier that is close to the word it describes

• A modifier that is missing from the sentence

Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

​MISPLACED: Aidan wore his one collared shirt to the job interview,

which was stained with yellow mustard.

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CORRECT: Aidan wore his one collared shirt, which was stained with yellow mustard, to the job interview.

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MISPLACED: The host served sandwiches to the guests on paper plates.

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CORRECT: The host served the guests sandwiches on paper plates.

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Multiple Choice

Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?

• The cowboy in the leather vest was thrown by the bull.

• The train station which was made of red brick was located downtown.

• She was making a sweater for her grandma that was warm.

This happens when the word a modifier is describing is completely missing from the sentence.

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This creates ambiguity and can confuse the reader

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Dangling Modifiers

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Multiple Choice

What is a dangling modifier?

• A modifier that does not have a word to describe

• A modifier that is not close to to the word it describes

• A modifier that is at the end of a sentence

Examples of Dangling Modifiers

​DANGLING: Fumbling in her purse, the keys could not be found.

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CORRECT: ​ Fumbling in her purse, she could not find her keys.

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DANGLING: While driving to work​, a car accident was witnessed on the highway.

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CORRECT: While driving to work, Nicholas witnessed a car accident on the highway. ​

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Multiple Choice

Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?

• Because he injured his hand, John had difficulty typing the essay.

• To become a good dentist, you must clean, fill, and file many teeth.

• Having finished the assignment, the TV was turned on.

Practice

Time!

Multiple Choice

What's the problem with the modifier in this sentence?

Emma was delighted when Mr. Smith returned

her perfect math test with an ear-to-ear grin.

• It sounds like Mr. Smith was the one who took the test.

• It sounds like the math test has a grin.

• It sounds like the math test was delighted.

Multiple Choice

What's the problem with the modifier in this sentence?

Grace watched Tyrese stuff a cupcake into

his mouth that was frosted with vanilla icing.

• It sounds like Grace ate the cupcake, not Tyrese.

• It sounds like the cupcake tasted nasty.

• It sounds like Tyrese's mouth was frosted with icing.

Multiple Choice

What's wrong with the modifier in this sentence?

Tapping the pencil on the edge of the desk, the answer

to the test question would not come to mind.

• We don't know who was tapping the pencil.

• It sounds like the pencil was trying to think of the answer.

• It sounds like the answer was tapping the pencil on the desk.

Multiple Choice

What's wrong with the modifier in this sentence?

Paige made the mistake of walking her boisterous bulldog Bill in high heels.

• It sounds like the bulldog is walking Paige.

• It sounds like Paige is wearing high heels.

• It sounds like the bulldog is wearing high heels.

Multiple Choice

What's the problem with the modifier in this sentence?

Too hungry to wait for Brenda's return from the restroom,

the bowl of egg drop soup quickly disappeared.

• It sounds like the bowl of soup went to the restroom.

• We don't know who was too hungry to wait.

• It sounds like Brenda was too hungry to wait.

Multiple Choice

Though not a fan of scary movies, A Quiet Place is actually quite good.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

Regretting his remark, Kyle blushed uncontrollably.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

The impatient customer demanded the waiter, a new employee, immediately get the manager.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

Lying on the beach, thoughts of skin cancer entered my mind as I tried to relax.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

Being very shy, strangers easily frighten my little sister, Maggie.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Homework Time!