Click the link below to download the free pdf worksheet. Pdf learning proper grammar and usage rules for the english language can be a. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that does not logically modify any. When you are finished, hit the check my work button at the bottom of the page to check your answers.
How to avoid dangling modifiers grammar lessons youtube. My sister walked in as i was scrubbing the floor with her new baby. In prescriptive grammar, misplaced modifiers are usually regarded as errors. Correct any dangling modifiers in the sentences below by keeping the phrase and rewriting the other part of the sentence so that the modifier is positioned next to the word it modifies. Recognize and correct the following kinds of misplacement.
Find and fix the misplaced and dangling modifiers in the passage below. Modifiers and complements adjectives and adjective phrases structure an adjective phrase consists of an adjective and all of its modifiers and complements. A misplaced modifier a modifier that is placed too far away from the word or words it modifies. The smallest possible adjective phrase therefore consists of just an adjective. Some of the worksheets for this concept are dangling and misplaced modifiers, misplaced modifiers, 7 misplaced and dangling modifiers, grammar work misplaced and dangling participles, name date misplaced and dangling m e 1, misplaced modifiers, misplaced modifiers introductory project, name date misplaced modifiers. Wondering what had happened, the furnace was restarted by jim. Check your answers with the interactive version of the exercise.
Note how different placement of the word only creates a difference in meaning between these two sentences. Dangling modifiers a modifier that starts a sentence must be followed right away by the word that it describes. A possessive form does not fix a misplaced modifier. Modifiers are important elements of writing, describing and qualifying. A dangling modifier is a type of misplaced modifier. While trying to type an important email, my cat kept begging me for food.
Misplacedanddanglingmodifiers 5 dangling modifier worksheet directions. Sitting on the top shelf of the refrigerator, desmond saw. Oct 24, 2016 modifiers are words or phrases that, well, modify a noun or verb. Displaying top 8 worksheets found for misplaced modifier. Dangling modifiers 2 identifying dangling modifiers level. Bruce explained the report he had finished while driving mr. This lesson shows the definition of a modifier and a clause, as well as the difference between a misplaced modifier and a dangling modifier. This is a subtype of the dangling modifier called a misplaced modifier. A modifier is an adverb or an adjective that describes a verb or a noun. Recognize the following types of dangling modifiers and their corrections. Place phrases and clauses within a sentence, recognizing and correcting misplaced. To download a pdf version of similar material, click here.
Modifiers grammar academic guides at walden university. In most cases, the dangling modifier appears at the beginning of th e. Misplaced modifiers can alter the meaning of a sentence, and take away from a writers intended message. Misplaced modifiers, part 1 misplaced modifiers, part 2 sat writing grammar rules. The robin built a nest at the back of our house ofgrass and string.
Misplaced modifiers a misplaced modifier is a modifying word, phrase, or clause that does not point clearly and directly to what it is supposed to modify. Make sure the modifier is as close as possible to the. Mark lester and larry beason point out that misplaced modifiers do not make sentences ungrammatical. Christie sneezed almost fifteen times last evening. As a rule, modifiers and related words should be kept close together in a sentence. Modifier 25 significant, separately identifiable em. Christie almost sneezed fifteen times last evening. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that either modifies no word in the sentence or refers to the wrong word. A misplaced modifier is too far away from the thing its supposed to modify, while a dangling modifier s intended subject is missing from the sentence altogether. Advanced choose whether each of the following sentences is correct, or whether it has a dangling modifier.
So you can see that a dangling modifier it creates a lot of confusion in the sentence, and sometimes a very comical mental. Some verbal phrases do not modify any single portion of the main clause but rather the whole of the clause. Sometimes writers use modifiers incorrectly, leading to strange and unintentionally humorous sentences. Misplaced and dangling participles, answers and tips 1.
Unlike a misplaced modifier, a dangling modifier cannot be corrected by simply moving it to a different place in a sentence. The two common types of modifier errors are called misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. Dangling modifiers make unclear the meaning of a sentence. Food prices rise, causing grocery receipts for only a few items to be quite. A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that clarifies or describes another word, phrase, or clause. See how creative and humorous you can get by writing ten sentences with misplaced and dangling modifiers. Apr 02, 20 a modifier a word, phrase, or clause that describes something else goes next to the thing it modifies. Misplaced modifiers miniquiz students multitask everyday, indeed many times a day, students believe they are very adept at juggling two or three different activities while studying for a midterm. Worksheet 1 explains the concept of dangling and misplaced modifiers, including suggestions for correcting them. Easy examples of misplaced modifiers in these examples, the misplaced modifiers are shaded. Running along the riverside, i saw the street lamp come on. The powerpoint provides several examples for mastery and later for students to identify. Rewrite each sentence, moving the misplaced modifier to its correct position. To write a successful research paper, one should follow certain prescribed steps.
A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause which function as an adjective or an adverb to describe a word or make its meaning more specific. This resource includes a pdf file for easy printing and an editable powerpoint version so that you can fit the test to meet the. Diving under the water, i saw the dolphins through the glass. Rewrite the sentence below to eliminate a misplaced modifier. A modifier should be placed next to the word it describes.
Then they will exchange cartoons with a partner, and identify the intended and unintended meanings. In each case, see if you can explain both the intended meaning and the unintended meaning. Confusing clear mary got into the police car wearing a. Page 2 of 12 documentation requirements the submission of modifier 25 appended to a procedure code indicates that documentation is available in the patients records which will support the distinct, significant, separately identifiable nature of the evaluation and management service submitted with modifier 25, and that these. The man was stopped for speeding in the blue sweater. As you can see from the following examples, the sentences should be. When you think your answer is correct, click on check to check your answer.
How to fix dangling and misplaced modifiers with examples. The most common modifier mistakes are dangling modifiers and misplaced modifiers. Students multitask everyday, indeed many times a day, students believe they are very adept at juggling two or three different activities while studying for a midterm. Sam bought a used car with a smoky tailpipe froma local dealer. A dangling modifier is misplaced because it does not have anything to modify. Misplaced and dangling modifiers towson university. Watch out for the words only, just, merely, nearly, and almost. In this video, we will discuss misplaced and dangling modifiers in english. Modifiers are important elements of writing, describing and. Label whether the sentence is a misplaced modifier m, a dangling modifier d or correct. Ppt misplaced modifiers powerpoint presentation free to.
The word or words a dangling modifier should modify have been omitted from the sentence. Modifiers can take the form of a word, phrase, or clause, and should point clearly toward the words they modify. Then, in the mm sentences, circle the modifier and draw an arrow to show where it should go. Always put a modifier as close as you can to the word the modifier describes. Both adults and teenagers have the privilege of earning their drivers licenses before driving for the first time, drivers education classes are important when learning to drive, one must be very cautious and alert after getting a drivers license, all drivers must. The modifying phrase with her new baby should logically modify how the sister walked. This resource includes a pdf file for easy printing and an editable powerpoint version so. Refer to discovery, 320324, for additional practice. A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that does not clearly relate to what it is intended to modify.
They keep sentences from expressing clear, straightforward ideas. A misplaced modifier is a modifying word, phrase, or clause that does not point clearly. Misplaced modifiers when a modifier is ambiguously or illogically modifying a word, we consider it a misplaced modifier. Misplaced and dangling modifiers humanities libertexts. Dangling and misplaced modifiers dangling modifiers a dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that does not logically modify any word in the sentence in which it appears. Note how the placement of the modifier creates different possible meanings. Write your answers in the space provided under each item. A misplaced modifier can confuse a reader because the modifier appears to describe the. Dangling modifiers cause the sentence to lack coherence.
Rewrite the following sentences so that the modifiers are correctly placed. These are called absolute constructions and are not dangling modifiers. Rewrite the following the sentences onto your own sheet of paper to correct the dangling modifiers. Exchange papers with a classmate, and rewrite your classmates sentences to correct any misplaced modifiers. Oct 28, 2012 misplaced modifiers misplaced modifier. While driving to the homestead campus, a pillow fell from jamess car.
To fix a misplaced modifier, move it as close as possible to what it should modify. Although most commonly found at the beginning of the sentence, the dangling modifier may be. Misplaced and dangling modifiers often result in comic miscommunications. Misplaced modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that are separated from the word they modify. Service on the subway having been halted, we had to walk. This is a deceptively simple task, but rise to the challenge. There are several hilarious newspaper headlines that perfectly illustrate this. Jun 18, 2017 a misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that doesnt clearly relate to the word or phrase it is intended to modify. Choose the sentence in which the modifiers are correctly placed. Rewrite each sentence to eliminate any misplaced or dangling participles. If you get stuck, click on hint to find out the next correct part.
If a student keeps the introductory participial phrase, the first noun in the base sentence must be jasmine, not jasmines wallet. Students will learn what a modifier is and what common mistakes are often made with modifiers in. Misplaced modifiers a misplaced modifier is a word or phrase incorrectly separated from the word it modifies. Worksheets relating to misplaced and dangling modifiers. Dangling and misplaced modifiers how to overcome fear of the no error choice. A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word it modifies describes. Get a good laugh with misplaced modifiers bka content. Smoking my cigar, i saw a fire engine roaring around the corner. When modifiers adjectives and adverbs are out of place, too far away from the word they modify, the sentence will be awkward or confusing. Piled up next to the washer, i began doing the laundry. Both terms refer to modifiers that are connected to the wrong thing in a sentence.
Use the reference sheet and activity to show middle schoolers how to edit confusing sentences with misplaced modifiers. The policemen finally stopped the criminal using pepper spray and handcuffs. Misplaced modifiers may be single words, phrases, or clauses. Walking back from the bar, my wallet fell out of my pocket. I almost saw the whole movie, but i fell asleep around midnight. Notice that in the sentence like olive wants a really big car, there is an adjective phrase really. Using what they learn, students will create misplaced modifier cartoons. Modifying phrases must go next to the word that they modify. Rearrange the sentence so that it begins with the word being modified or change the modifier to a subordinate clause with a subject and a verb. A misplaced modifier makes the meaning of a sentence ambiguous or wrong. Though he may well be able to learn while multitasking, it is not nearly as efficient as focusing only on studying.
The children attended the public school wearing uniforms. A misplaced modifier happens to modify something that you did not intend to modify, oftenor hopefullywith humorous consequences. Sisters reunited after 18 years in checkout counter miners refuse to work after death. Draw a line under the dangling modifier in each of the following sentences. Im going to teach you how to avoid the dreaded dangling modifier, but first its.
Misplacement of adverbs can sometimes change the meaning of a sentence. In this lesson plan, adaptable for grades 312, students explore brainpop features and resources to learn about misplaced modifiers, including dangling and squinting modifiers. Sam bought a used car from a local dealer witha smoky tailpipe. In other words, a misplaced modifier makes the meaning of a sentence ambiguous or wrong. This is an unfortunate result of an adverbs ability to pop up almost anywhere in a sentence. Chapter 4 modifiers and complements adjectives and. Misplaced and dangling modifiers make sentences awkward and inelegant. You do not have to cut out restaurants completely or eat at only the cheap places. Avoiding misplaced and dangling modifiers t 2000, 1999, 1998, 1998 margaret l. When you have completed the exercise, click on check my. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that modifies a word not clearly. English grammar exercise dangling modifiers 2 identifying. Misplaced modifiers, for example, can create some pretty funny double meanings. Misplaced modifiers make the sentence awkward and sometimes unintentionally humorous.
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