Modifiers (Misplaced and Dangling)

a word, phrase, or clause that describes another word, phrase, or clause ​ (a)   ​

• modifier
• misplaced modifier
• adjective
• describe

What is the modifier in the following sentence?
Brian, the man with the bushy red beard, is Lydia's husband. 

• Brian
• the man with the bushy red beard
• is
• Lydia's husband

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.7.1C

True or False: This sentence has a correctly placed modifier.

Carefully planted, the flowers bloomed beautifully in the garden.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The modifier 'carefully planted' correctly describes the flowers, which bloomed beautifully.

True or False: This sentence has a correctly placed modifier.

The cat chased the mouse under the couch that was very fast.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The sentence implies the couch was very fast, not the mouse. The modifier is misplaced.

Which sentence is correct?

• The painting, admired by many, hung in the gallery.

• Admired by many, the gallery hung the painting.

Answer explanation

The modifier 'admired by many' correctly describes the painting.

True or False: This sentence has a correctly placed modifier.

The teacher explained the lesson to the students sitting in their seats.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The sentence implies the students were sitting in their seats, not the teacher. The modifier is misplaced.

Which sentence is correct? Stuck in traffic, the car engine overheated. The car engine, stuck in traffic, overheated.

• Stuck in traffic, the car engine overheated.

• The car engine, stuck in traffic, overheated.

Answer explanation

The modifier 'stuck in traffic' correctly describes the car engine.

Complete the sentence: Anxious about the results, _____ waited nervously.

• the student

• the teacher

• the classroom

• the paper

Answer explanation

The modifier 'anxious about the results' should describe the student who waited nervously.

Which sentence is correct?

• While cooking dinner, the phone rang loudly.

• The phone rang loudly while I was cooking dinner.

Answer explanation

The modifier 'while I was cooking dinner' correctly describes the person who was cooking.

Create a sentence using a dangling modifier and then correct it.

Answer explanation

Sample answers: Dangling: 'Walking to the store, the rain started pouring.' Corrected: 'Walking to the store, I got caught in the pouring rain.'; Dangling: 'After eating the meal, the bill was paid by the waiter.' Corrected: 'After eating the meal, we paid the bill.'