Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers ACT Practice

Front

What is a misplaced modifier?

Back

A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word it modifies or describes, leading to confusion or ambiguity.

Front

What is a dangling modifier?

Back

A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence, often leading to a sentence that seems to describe something that is not present.

Front

How can you identify a misplaced modifier in a sentence?

Back

Look for modifiers that are not placed next to the word they are supposed to modify, which can lead to confusion about what is being described.

Front

What is the correct placement of modifiers in a sentence?

Back

Modifiers should be placed as close as possible to the words they modify to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity.

Front

Provide an example of a sentence with a misplaced modifier.

Back

"She almost drove her kids to school every day." (It suggests she nearly did it, rather than she did it almost every day.)

Front

Provide an example of a sentence with a dangling modifier.

Back

"After reading the book, the movie was disappointing." (It suggests the movie read the book, which is incorrect.)

Front

What is the effect of a dangling modifier on sentence clarity?

Back

A dangling modifier can create confusion and mislead the reader about what is being described, making the sentence unclear.

Front

How can you correct a dangling modifier?

Back

You can correct a dangling modifier by rewriting the sentence to clearly indicate what is being modified.

Front

What role do commas play in modifying phrases?

Back

Commas can help clarify the relationship between modifiers and the words they modify, especially in complex sentences.

Front

What is the difference between a restrictive and non-restrictive modifier?

Back

A restrictive modifier provides essential information about the noun it modifies, while a non-restrictive modifier adds extra information and is usually set off by commas.