Dangling or Misplaced Modifiers

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 confusion.

Front

Example of a dangling modifier: 'Before waking up, the lights were flickering in the room.' What is the dangling modifier?

Back

Before waking up.

Front

What is a misplaced modifier?

Back

A misplaced modifier is a word or phrase that is improperly separated from the word it modifies, causing confusion.

Front

Example of a misplaced modifier: 'We discovered an Italian bakery a few miles from our house that had just opened.' What is the correct placement?

Back

The correct placement is: 'We discovered an Italian bakery that just opened a few miles from our house.'

Front

What is the purpose of a modifier in a sentence?

Back

A modifier adds detail or description to a word, phrase, or clause, enhancing the meaning.

Front

Identify the modifier in the sentence: 'Brian, the man with the bushy red beard, is Lydia's husband.'

Back

The modifier is 'the man with the bushy red beard.'

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Where should the modifier be placed in the sentence: 'Mary read that a wasp larva spins a cocoon in the encyclopedia.'

Back

The modifier should be placed after 'read': 'Mary read in the encyclopedia that a wasp larva spins a cocoon.'

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

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It can create ambiguity or confusion about what is being modified.

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How can you correct a dangling modifier?

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You can correct it by ensuring the modifier clearly refers to the intended subject in the sentence.

Front

What is an example of a correct sentence without a dangling modifier?

Back

'Exhausted by his first day at school, Sam closed his eyes in the middle of his favorite TV show.'