Misplaced & Dangling Modifiers Introduction

What is the role of a modifier in a sentence?

• To describe or modify another word in the sentence

• To replace the subject of the sentence

• To act as the main verb of the sentence

• To connect two independent clauses

True or False:

A modifier is always a single word.

• True

• False

In the sentence 'I love candy and socks that are green,' what makes the modifier 'green' misplaced?

• It is describing the wrong target

• It is not a valid modifier

• It is too far from the word 'candy'

• It is unclear whether 'green' describes candy, socks, or both

Explain why the sentence below is unclear.

He wore a shirt to the gym with stripes.

If you are unsure, rewatch the last portion of the video to hear the explanation again.

What does the video say is the most important thing to remember?

Rewatch the last portion if you are unsure of the answer.

• The modifier and the target should not be next to each other.

• The modifier needs to be close to its target.

• Modifiers should be taken out of a sentence when it is unclear.

What word(s) make up the modifier in the following sentence?

I brought chocolate to my guests in a box.

Modifier Definition: A modifier is a word or group of words that modifies (or describes) another

word in a sentence.

• I brought

• chocolate

• to my guests

• in a box

Is this a misplaced modifier?

I brought chocolate to my guests in a box.

• Yes - Something is unclear about this sentence.

• No - Everything makes perfect sense!

What is a dangling modifier?

• A modifier has no target included in the sentence.

• The modifier is at the end of the sentence.

• The modifier is left out of the sentence.

What is the modifier in the following sentence?

Having tried both flavors, the vanilla is best.

• Having tried both flavors

• The vanilla is best

• vanilla

Which sentence uses the modifier correctly?

• She almost ran for a full hour.

• She ran for almost a full hour.