Misplaced/Dangling Modifiers

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

Emma Sue was delighted when Mr. Nguyen returned her perfect calculus test with an ear-to-ear grin.

• Mr. Nguyen was the who took the test.

• It sounds like the calculus test as the grin.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.3A

CCSS.L.7.1C

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

Scrubbing the tile grout with bleach and an old toothbrush, the mildew stains began to fade.

• We don't know who scrubbed the tile grout.

• The mildew stains were scrubbing the tile grout.

• A toothbrush was scrubbing the tile grout.

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

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

To finish by the 3 p.m. deadline, the computer keyboard sang with Sylvia's flying fingers.

• Computer keyboards can't sing.

• Sylvia's fingers had to finish before the deadline.

• Sylvia needs to be mentioned earlier in the sentence.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.3A

CCSS.L.7.1C

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

Sheila watched Desmond stuff his mouth with a cupcake frosted with vanilla icing.

• Sheila was the one eating the cupcake.

• The sentence is correct.

• Desmond's mouth is what is frosted with vanilla icing.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.3A

CCSS.L.7.1C

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

Rapping the pencil on the edge of the desk, the fourth cause of the French Revolution would not come to mind.

• The pencil was trying to think of the fourth cause.

• We don't know who was rapping the pencil

• The French Revolution was rapping the pencil.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.3A

CCSS.L.7.1C

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

Slathering the popcorn with melted butter, the calorie count skyrocketed.

• We don't know who slathered the popcorn with melted butter.

• The sentence is correct.

• The calories slathered the popcorn with melted butter.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.3A

CCSS.L.7.1C

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

Attached to the email, Charlotte sent her boyfriend Byron another picture with eerie red eyes.

• The sentence is correct.

• Pictures don't have eerie red eyes.

• Charlotte was attached to the email.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.3A

CCSS.L.7.1C

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

Hungry for dinner, the surface is where Gert the goldfish waited in anticipation of food flakes.

• Goldfish can't wait in anticipation.

• The surface sounds like it is the one waiting.

• Gert needs to be mentioned closer to 'Hungry for dinner'.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.3A

CCSS.L.7.1C

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

After the rainstorm, Jeremy walked his dog on a sidewalk covered in wet leaves.

• Jeremy can't walk his dog after a rainstorm.

• Sidewalks cannot be covered in leaves.

• The sentence is correct.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.3A

CCSS.L.7.1C

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

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

• Bulldogs can't wear high heels.

• The bulldog is who made the mistake.

• The sentence is correct.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.3A

CCSS.L.7.1C