A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that either modifies no word in the. When you have completed the exercise, click on check my. A modifier describes, clarifies, or gives more detail about a concept. Always put a modifier as close as you can to the word the modifier describes. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that is not clearly and logically. A modifier is a word or phrase that describes another word or phrase. This is a practice quiz over problems with modifiers. Worksheets relating to misplaced and dangling modifiers. Correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers pdf documents for students 7th standards. Correcting misplaced modifiers word usage worksheets. Middle schoolers identify modifiers in sentences and label them as either dangling or misplaced.
Write your answers in the space provided under each item. In most cases a modifier should be near the word or phrase it modifies. In the following sentences, identify and correct the misplaced and dangling modifiers. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that is not clearly and logically related to the word or words it modifies i. To keep track of your answers, print the accompanying handout. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that does not logically modify any word in the sentence in which it.
The best misplaced and dangling modifiers of all time. Modifiers are words and phrases that basically modify a word or sentence. How do dangling and misplaced modifiers appear on sat writing. Recognize the following types of dangling modifiers and their corrections. Parallel structure our mission is to provide a free, worldclass.
This activity challenges students to identify dangling or misplaced modifiers in incorrect sentences and fix them. Because of this separation, the meaning of the sentence is. Dangling modifiers are usually introductory word groups such as verbal phrases that suggest but do not name an actor. The most frequent mistakes that occur with modifiers are misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. Here is a classic example from grockit of a sentence on the act english test with a misplaced modifier. Refer to discovery, 324327, for additional practice. Turning the corner, a handsome school building appeared merriam.
Because rewritten sentences will vary, have a writing counselor check your new sentences for you. The waiter served a dinner roll to the woman that was well buttered. Rewrite the following sentences to repair any dangling modifiers. Misplaced modifiers are words or phrases that do not clearly point to the word or phrase they modify, in this way obscuring meaning. Rewrite these sentences to correct problem with misplaced and dangling modifiers. The best misplaced and dangling modifiers of all time misplaced and dangling modifiers. Misplaced and dangling modifiers1 misplaced and dangling modifiers a misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word or clause it modifies or describes. Unlike many other students, jim didnt have any problems with his teachers. A dangling modifier has no concrete or logical referent in the sentence to which it can attach itself and therefore is said to dangle it has nothing to modify. Do you know the strategies to attack this type of question.
Misplaced and dangling modifiers 1 misplaced and dangling modifiers a misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word or clause it modifies or describes. Dangling modifiers sentence errors the nature of writing. Grammargrounds grammar education is a free, comprehensive site with instruction, videos, quizzes, and more. The waitress served gilbert a plate of gray meatloaf sauced with lumpy gravy. Service on the subway having been halted, we had to. Misplaced modifiers can alter the meaning of a sentence, and take away from a writers intended message. Given the infinite combinations and permutations available in the english language, we have several ways of correcting a misplaced or dangling participle. A modifier that is incorrectly placed is called a misplaced modifier. Dangling modifiers a dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that either modifies no word in the sentence or refers to the wrong word.
A modifying word or phrase dangles when it doesnt apply to the word its supposed to modify. Displaying all worksheets related to misplaced modifiers. View each sentence and see if you think there is a problem with either a dangling modifier or a misplaced modifer you may use your notes to help. Misplaced modifiers make the sentence awkward and sometimes unintentionally humorous. Disgusted by greasy cafeteria food, i brought a salad and an apple for. Check your answers with the interactive version of the exercise.
Sometimes to correct a misplaced or dangling modifier and clarify the meaning, the writer must change the words in a sentence. Dangling and misplaced modifiers by mark nichol each of the following sentences includes a modifying phrase that confuses because it the statement is erroneously constructed or because the phrase is incorrectly located in the sentence. Nguyen returned her perfect calculus test with an eartoear grin. Misplaced modifiers worksheet for 6th 9th grade lesson. In the blank beside each sentence, indicate whether that sentence contains a dangling modifier dm or a misplaced modifier mm. In the exercise that follows, you will need to determine whether or not sentences contain misplaced or dangling modifiers. The point is that the introductory participial phrase modifies the first noun it gets to in the base sentence, so running corresponds to i. You will learn about all the elements that need to come together to structure an accurate sentence. Aug 23, 2016 a modifying word or phrase dangles when it doesnt apply to the word its supposed to modify.
Although misplaced or dangling modifiers are common in writing, they are incorrect and should be avoided because they cause confusion and alter the meaning of the sentence drastically. The majority of dangling modifiers are verb phrases that are not attached to the intended subject, if any. Many of the modifiers in the following examples are misplaced, distorting the writers intended meaning of the sentences. Rosie, do want to tell us what the definition of a modifier is. Dangling and misplaced modifiers click within the small circle to the left of your choice for each answer. Dangling modifiers cause the sentence to lack coherence.
Misplaced modifiers english practice learn and practice. Use the reference sheet and activity to show middle schoolers how to edit confusing sentences with misplaced modifiers. In case you didnt get it from the italics, a modifier is a word or phrase that provides more information about something being. English lessons with adam learn english engvid 1,340,895 views. Adding who threw the party corrects the problem of the dangling modifier. Because of this separation, the meaning of the sentence is often awkward, ridiculous, illogical, or confusing. 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. Recognize and correct the following kinds of misplacement. This misplaced modifiers worksheet is suitable for 6th 9th grade. In a clear, logical sentence, you will find most modifiers right next to the words they describe. Misplaced modifiers a modifier that is placed too far away from the word it describes is called a misplaced modifier. Misplaced and dangling modifiers exercise 1 grammar bytes.
After clicking ok within the javascript alert, you may try another answer or proceed to. A dangling modifier fails to refer logically to any word in the sentence. Rewrite each sentence, moving the misplaced modifier to its correct position. 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. Misplaced and dangling modifiers towson university. When was the last time you had students excited to practice finding misplaced and dangling modifiers in sentences. Without modifiers, you could never say that a pretty girl took home a happy dog or that a nice boy bought a y ummy popsicle. A dangling modifier as a misplaced modifier eries public schools.
Displaying top 8 worksheets found for misplaced modifier. A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence. A way to avoid misplaced modifiers is to place the modifier close to the. A number of singleword modifiers are often misplaced. A misplaced modifier happens to modify something that you did not intend to modify, oftenor hopefullywith humorous consequences. A modifier should come immediately before the word or phrase it modifies.
I held the ticket that my friend gave me tightly in my hand. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. A modifier that is placed too far away from the word it describes is called a misplaced modifier. Having learned spanish in just three months, the stay in mexico was a success. I have followed the advice faithfully given by the manual. A dangling modifier is an introductory word groupparticiple, gerund, infinitive, or elliptical. A javascript box will appear to tell you that your choice is correct or incorrect. Misplacement of adverbs can sometimes change the meaning of a sentence. Watch out for the words only, just, merely, nearly, and almost. 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. Turn the misplaced or dangling participle into a dependent clause. Unlike a misplaced modifier, a dangling modifier cannot be corrected by simply moving it to a different place in a sentence. I created this resource as a handson way for students to practice identifying and classifying misplaced and dangling modifiers. From who and whom to hyphens, from commas to plain language, from usage woes to grammar.
Authors need to be responsible for writing with proper literary style and tone. Misplaced modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that are separated from the word they modify. A misplaced modifier a modifier that is placed too far away from the word or words it modifies. Although most commonly found at the beginning of the sentence, the dangling modifier may be. The best solution is to make sure that the right subject starts the main clause. Worksheets are misplaced modifiers, name date misplaced and dangling m e 1, grammar work misplaced and dangling participles, grammar work misplaced and dangling participles, 7 misplaced and dangling modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling and misplaced modifiers, name date misplaced modifiers.
When you are finished, hit the check my work button at the bottom of the page to check your answers. Having learned french in just three months, paul was as happy as he could be. I held the ticket tightly in my hand that my friend gave me. Modifiers misplaced, dangling, changing worksheets k12 reader. So, before we get in to what a dangling modifier is, we can sort of talk about just what a modifier is. Oct 24, 2016 a misplaced modifier happens to modify something that you did not intend to modify, oftenor hopefullywith humorous consequences. Misplaced and dangling modifiers demonstrate sloppy writing and grammar skills. When you are finished, click on the check my work button at the bottom of the page to view the correct answers. Disgusted by greasy cafeteria food, my lunch consisted of a salad and an apple.
The most common type of misplaced modifier question on the act english test involves a modifying phrase. The modifier should describe whoever gave the party, but no word in the sentence identifies the party giver. The original text contains a misplaced modifier, making it sound as though the food critics were the ones who studied traditional french cuisine. 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. This was originally created for 7th grade language arts class. Use your mouse to choose the most logical sentence with no misplaced or dangling modifier. Check your understanding of dangling modifiers with an interactive quiz and printable worksheet.
Though he may well be able to learn while multitasking, it is not nearly as efficient as focusing only on studying. Our mission is to provide a free, worldclass education to anyone, anywhere. Free, printable modifiers worksheets to develop strong grammar, language and. If you are unsure which choice to make, consult the rules.
A dangling modifier can be fixed in a number of ways. Written by editor and writer frances peck, these pieces take a thorough yet entertaining look at some of the most common errors, weaknesses and uncertainties that plague writers of english. 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. Sometimes writers use modifiers incorrectly, leading to strange and unintentionally humorous sentences.
When a sentence opens with such a modifier, readers expect the following clause to name the actor. Pecks english pointers is a collection of lively articles spanning english grammar, punctuation, usage and clarity. Determine whether the sentences below contain misplaced or dangling modifiers. Without modifiers, you could never say that a pretty girl took home a happy dog or that a nice boy bought a yummy popsicle. Quia practice quiz dangling and misplaced modifiers. The two common types of modifier errors are called misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. Having finished the assignment, jill turned on the tv. English grammar exercise dangling modifiers 1 identifying. In other words, they seem to give a better understanding of a word or sentence. How do we correct a misplaced or dangling participle. A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that clarifies or describes another word, phrase, or clause. 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. In this activity, students will sort 24 sentences into the correct category misplaced modifier, dangling modifier, correct.
Free practice questions for sat writing correcting dangling modifier errors. Here is an example of a dangling modifier shaded having read your. The issue with these is that the reader could misinterpret the sentence. Click within the small circle to the left of your choice for each answer. Jan 15, 2018 the 4 english sentence types simple, compound, complex, compoundcomplex duration. A modifier a word or phrase that qualifies the meaning of another element in a sentence. So in this video were gonna talk about something called a dangling modifier. Constructing sentences 3 if you need to brush up on the difference between a misplaced modifier and a dangling modifier, or if you need to be reminded what makes a sentence simple or complex, then this resource is for you. A typical example of a dangling modifier is illustrated in the sentence.
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