Sentence structure issues: run-ons misplaced dangling modifiers

Which one of these sentences is not a run-on sentence?

• The front desk was busy, the manager called for help but the new hire wasn’t trained so guests got frustrated.

• The front desk was busy. The manager called for help, but the new hire wasn’t trained. As a result, guests became frustrated.

Answer explanation

Run-on sentences are when two or more independent clauses (complete ideas) are joined together without appropriate punctuation or coordinating conjunctions.

In this case, you have "the front desk was busy" (S + V + complete idea) and "the manager called for help..." (S + V + complete idea). You need to add.

Which one of these sentences is not a run-on sentence?

• Housekeeping was understaffed, so room cleaning was delayed. Guests began complaining about unmade beds and the lack of fresh towels.

• Housekeeping was understaffed, room cleaning was delayed and guests started complaining about unmade beds and no towels.

Answer explanation

Run-on sentences are when two or more independent clauses (complete ideas) are joined together without appropriate punctuation or coordinating conjunctions.

Here you have "Housekeeping was understaffed..." (S + V + complete idea) and "Guests began complaining..." (S + V + complete idea).

Is this sentence a run-on sentence? The manager prepared for inspection. They found broken equipment and needed to fix safety issues quickly.

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

This is not a run-on sentence because each complete sentence (S + V + complete idea) is separated using an appropriate punctuation mark (a period in this case).

Is this sentence a run-on sentence? The restaurant kitchen rushed through orders, a large group came unexpectedly, so dishes were delayed and customers were upset.

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

This is a run-on sentence because each clause represents a complete sentence (S + V + complete idea) and should be separated by a period or a semi-colon, never a comma.

Does this sentence contain a misplaced modifier? Exhausted from the long shift, the guests seemed irritated by the wait, not the servers.

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

A misplaced modifier is a descriptive word or expression is too far from the word it seeks to modify.

In this case, it sounds like the guests are exhausted from the long shift... when truly it is the employees who are.

Does this sentence contain a misplaced modifier? Covered in sauce, the chef wiped down the plates before serving them to the guests.

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

A misplaced modifier is a descriptive word or expression is too far from the word it seeks to modify.

In this case, it sounds like the chef is covered in sauce. If this were the case, he's be wiping himself... not the plates!

Does this sentence contain a misplaced modifier? The hotel manager addressed the staff during the morning meeting about new safety protocols.

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

A misplaced modifier is a descriptive word or expression is too far from the word it seeks to modify.

In this case, all of the modifiers are next to the words that they want to modify.

Does this sentence contain a misplaced modifier? With a smile, the hotel room was cleaned thoroughly by the housekeeper.

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

A misplaced modifier is a descriptive word or expression is too far from the word it seeks to modify.

In this case, it sounds like the hotel room can smile. You need to place the modifier "with a smile" next to housekeeper.

Which one of these sentences contains a dangling modifier?

• After checking in, the luggage was taken to the guest’s room.

• While organizing the front desk, the receptionist found several misplaced documents.

Answer explanation

A dangling modifier occurs when descriptive words do not logically connect to any specific word in a sentence. This often happens when the sentence’s subject is missing or unclear.

In the previous sentence, we do not really know who checked in because there is no clear subject attached to "after checking in."

Which one of these sentences contains a dangling modifier?

• After completing the reservation, the guest received a confirmation email.

• Walking into the restaurant, the aroma of fresh bread was immediately noticeable.

Answer explanation

A dangling modifier occurs when descriptive words do not logically connect to any specific word in a sentence. This often happens when the sentence’s subject is missing or unclear.

In the previous sentence, we do not really know who walked into the restaurant because there is no clear subject attached to "walking into the restaurant."