Modifiers, Phrases as Modifiers, and Their Mistakes

What is a modifier?

• A very confusing phrase
• A word, phrase, or clause that adds in extra information about another part of the sentence
• A grammatical mistake
• A misleading sentence

​In grammar, (a)   modify ​ (b)   .

• adjectives
• nouns
• adverbs

Answer explanation

Here is an example: The pretty puppy. "Puppy" is a noun, and "pretty" describes the puppy.

In grammar, ​ (a)   can modify ​ (b)   .

• adverbs
• verbs, adjectives, and adverbs
• only verbs
• only nouns

Answer explanation

Adverbs (in blue) can modify verbs: The really weird clown grinned quite slowly.

Adverbs (in blue) can modify adjectives: The really weird clown grinned quite slowly. ("Weird" is an adjective modifying the clown.)

Adverbs (in blue) can modify adverbs: The really weird clown grinned quite slowly. ("Quite" is an adverb modifying the other adverb slowly.)

Which kinds of phrases can act like adjectives in a sentence?

• Prepositional & Participial Phrases

• Only Prepositional Phrases

• Only Participial Phrases

• Neither Prepositional nor Participial Phrases

Answer explanation

Prepositional phrases can act like an adjective. The rat on the sidewalk likes pizza. The prepositional phrase "on the sidewalk" describes the bird (a noun).

Participial phrases can act like an adjective. Sitting on the sidewalk, the rat dreamed of pizza. The participial phrase "sitting on the sidewalk" describes the bird (a noun).

Which kinds of phrases can act like adverbs in a sentence?

• Prepositional & Participial Phrases

• Only Prepositional Phrases

• Only Participial Phrases

• Neither Prepositional nor Participial Phrases

Answer explanation

Prepositional phrases can act like an adverb. The seal slept by the pool. The prepositional phrase "by the pool" modifies the verb "slept".

Participial phrases cannot function as an adverb. They can only function as an adjective.

What word or phrase describes Milton?
Jumping out of his seat, Milton shouted with surprise. 

• Jumping out of his seat
• shouted 
• with surprise
• out

Which word is being modified?

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

• costume

• large

• cardboard

• original

Which word or phrase does the underlined word refer to?

I'm so forgetful that I can never find my keys.

• I'm

• forgetful

• never

Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?

• The firemen couldn't wait to eat the delicious pancakes with syrup.

• She served pancakes to the fireman on paper plates.

• The pancakes were stacked high, and the firemen couldn't wait to dig in.

• The fluffy, homemade pancakes were a hit at the fireman's breakfast.

Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?

• The ham sandwiches in plastic bags were handed out to the hungry kids, by the mom.

• The ham sandwiches were in plastic bags, and the mom handed them out to the hungry kids.

• The mom handed out ham sandwiches to the hungry kids in plastic bags.

• The mom handed out the ham sandwiches in plastic bags to the hungry kids.