Modifier Practice

A modifier is called "misplaced" when:

• it is placed too close to the word it modifies

• it is placed too far away from the word it modifies

• It has nothing in the sentence to modify

• It is modifying two things at the same time.

A modifier is called "dangling" when

• It is placed too close to the word or phrase it modifies

• It is placed too far away from the word or phrase it modifies

• It has nothing to modify in the sentence

• It is modifying two things at the same time

A modifier is called "squinting" when

• It is placed too close to the word or phrase it modifies

• It is placed too far away from the word or phrase it modifies

• It has nothing to modify in the sentence

• It is modifying two things at the same time

Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

• Running recklessly through the forest, the tree stump tripped Jay.

• Running recklessly through the forest, Jay tripped over the tree stump.

• Running recklessly through the forest, the stump of the tree tripped Jay.

• Running recklessly through the forest, the tree tripped.

What type of error is this?: Being a first-year student, my professors do not accept Wikipedia as a credible source of information.

• No error

• Misplaced Modifier

• Dangling Modifier

• Squinting Modifier

What does the red phrase modify (or describe) in the following sentence?

The shoes with the yellow stripes are expensive.

• expensive

• shoes

Is the sentence below written correctly?

Covered in wildflowers, the elephant pondered the hillside's beauty.

• Yes, the sentence is correct.

• No, the sentence has a misplaced modifier.

Which sentence is written MOST clearly and correctly?

• Gasping after the 5-mile run in the summer sun, the bottle of cold water quenched Donovan's thirst.

• Gasping after the 5-mile run in the summer sun, Donovan quenched his thirst with a bottle of cold water.

• Gasping after the 5-mile run in the summer sun, Donovan's thirst was quenched with a bottle of cold water.

Which sentence is written MOST clearly and correctly?

• He served lemonade in plastic cups to the children.

• He served lemonade to the children in plastic cups.

• In plastic cups, the children were served lemonade.

Choose the sentence with the modifier in the correct place.

• The clerk sold the scarf to the woman with the red print.
• The clerk sold the scarf with the red print to the woman.