When a modifier has no word to describe, it is dangling. A modifying clause is a dependent clause that opens a sentence and provides descriptive information about the subject of the subsequent independent clause. Having arrived late for practice, a written excuse was. A dangling modifier fails to refer logically to any word in the sentence. Modifiers can include the present participle of a verb ing or the past participle of a verb ed. Dangling and misplaced modifiers dangling modifiers are words or phrases that do not have a clear term to modify in a sentence. When there is nothing that the word, phrase, or clause can modify, the modifier is said to dangle. How to identify misplaced modifiers for the praxis core. Modifiers are commonly used in academic writing, but can lead to confusion when. Adding michael to the sentence lets the reader know who is scrubbing the tile grout. Each of the following sentences are either correct or incorrect. Were here to help in the event of a school closure. Oct 24, 2016 a misplaced modifier happens to modify something that you did not intend to modify, oftenor hopefullywith humorous consequences. Other singleword modifiers to watch out for include only, even, hardly, nearly, and often.
Grammargrounds grammar education is a free, comprehensive site with instruction, videos, quizzes, and more. Misplaced modifiers are clauses which are improperly placed in a sentence and confuse the sentences meaning. Avoid rephrased sentences, focus on the misplacement of the modifiers and the dangling modifiers. Misplaced modifiers can alter the meaning of a sentence, and take away from a writers intended message. In a clear, logical sentence, you will find most modifiers right next to the words they describe. Misplaced anddangling 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. Misplaced and dangling modifiers watch, learn, and. So now we have the critter following the modifier that its supposed to be modified by. The supplemental documents will provide you with the practice pages so. The supplemental documents will provide you with the practice pages so that students can work along with the video. 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. Now click on the link below to complete exercise 1. A misplaced modifier occurs when the modifier is located too far away from the word it modifies and the sentence does not make sense.
In general, you should place singleword modifiers near the word or words they modify, especially when a reader might think that they modify something different in the sentence. Scrubbing the tile grout with bleach and an old toothbrush, a participle phrase, has no target in the sentence. Correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers pdf documents. If one wishes to write effectively, practice is necessary. Adding michael to the sentence lets the reader know who is. Using what they learn, students will create misplaced modifier cartoons. To make sure your modifiers give your readers the right message, read your sentences aloud or share them with someone you trust. Misplaced modifiers are modifiers that modify something you didnt intend them to modify. Dangling modifiers a dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that either modifies no word in the sentence or refers to the wrong word. Advanced choose whether each of the following sentences is correct, or whether it has a dangling modifier. Click the link below to download the free pdf worksheet. Following the powerpoint, groups will use the printable worksheets to determine which sentences contain misplaced dangling modifiers. A dangling participle has no noun in the sentence to which the participle would logically attach.
Dangling modifiers a dangling modifier is a modifier that lacks a word or group of words to modify. It also includes practice in correcting sentences that have misplaced and dangling modifiers. Such words should be placed immediately before the word they modify. On july 20, 1969, american astronauts neil armstrong and edwin buzz aldrin landed on the moon, watched by nearly a fifth of the worlds population. Unlike a misplaced modifier, a dangling modifier cannot be corrected by simply moving it. In fact, you can improve your writing quite a bit by paying attention to basic problems like misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. Dangling modifiers cause the sentence to lack coherence. Sometimes writers use modifiers incorrectly, leading to strange and unintentionally humorous sentences. The most common type of misplaced modifier question on the act english test involves a modifying phrase. Because of their dangling modifiers, these sentences wrongly imply that the hill rollerbladed frantically, that p. As the name itself indicates a modifier is a word used to modify another word. Think you understand dangling and misplaced modifiers.
A modifier should come immediately before the word or phrase it modifies. According to laurie kirszner and stephen mandell in the sixth edition of writing first, a modifier is a word or word group that identifies or describes another word or word group in a sentence. Jan 26, 2012 misplaced modifiers, squinting modifiers, and dangling grammar by english spoken here video 2016 duration. Misplaced and dangling modifiers according to laurie kirszner and stephen mandell in the sixth edition of writing first, a modifier is a word or word group that identifies or describes another word or word group in a sentence. Watched by nearly a fifth of the worlds population, american astronauts neil armstrong and edwin buzz aldrin landed on the moon on july 20, 1969. Then they will exchange cartoons with a partner, and identify the intended and unintended meanings. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that does not logically modify any word in the sentence in. Worksheet 1 explains the concept of dangling and misplaced modifiers, including suggestions for correcting them. A modifier should come close to the word it modifies. Unlike many other students, the financial aid office did not approve his application. What a modifier is and how it functions in a sentence.
A misplaced modifier happens to modify something that you did not intend to modify, oftenor hopefullywith humorous consequences. Then someone decided that the dangling business just sounded silly, so now grammarians call them misplaced modifiers. Quia practice quiz dangling and misplaced modifiers. Misplaced and dangling modifiers towson university. Theyre words or phrases that describe another word or phrase, and when theyre dangling theyre like in the wrong place, theyre in front of the wrong. Modifiers are just what they sound likewords or phrases that modify something else. As michael scrubbed the tile grout with bleach and an old toothbrush, the mildew stains began to fade.
Parallel structure our mission is to provide a free, worldclass. Modifiers are words and phrases that basically modify a word or sentence. A dangling modifier is an introductory word groupparticiple, gerund, infinitive, or elliptical clausethat does not refer logically to the noun or pronoun that follows it. In the following sentences, identify and correct the misplaced and dangling modifiers. Dangling and misplaced modifiers tutorial sophia learning. Use the reference sheet and activity to show middle schoolers how to edit confusing sentences with misplaced modifiers. Modifiers are words or phrases that, well, modify a noun or verb. In this lesson plan, adaptable for grades 312, students explore brainpop features and resources to learn about misplaced modifiers, including dangling and squinting modifiers. When modifiers adjectives and adverbs are out of place, too far away from the word they modify, the sentence will be awkward or confusing. In the exercise that follows, you will need to determine whether or not sentences contain misplaced or dangling modifiers. Grammar can be confusing at times, test yours below. Misplaced modifiers english practice learn and practice. All modifiers, words that add clarify, describe, or add detail to other words in a sentence.
Dangling and misplaced participles often give rise to absurdly humorous scenarios. 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. Recognize the following types of dangling modifiers and their corrections. Unlike a misplaced modifier, a dangling modifier cannot be corrected by simply moving it to a different place in a sentence. Avoiding misplaced modifiers is essential to good grammar and concise writing. This learning packet covers modifiers which are also called adjective phrases. When you are finished, click on the check my work button at the bottom of the page to view the correct answers. Modifiers that seem to modify the wrong word are often called misplaced or dangling modifiers. Rewrite the following sentences to repair any dangling modifiers. How to fix sentences that have dangling or misplaced modifiers.
Voiceover yeah so like, that is dangling modifiers, and how you get rid of them. For example, in walking to college on a subzero morning, my left ear became frozen, the underlined phrase modifies my left ear. Paraphrased for the student learning center by lowrie osborne, october 2007 from. Unlike many other students, jim didnt have any problems with his teachers. Misplaced modifiers may be single words, phrases, or clauses. The waitress served gilbert a plate of gray meatloaf sauced with lumpy gravy. 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. Refer to discovery, 324327, for additional practice. Rewrite these sentences to correct problem with misplaced and dangling modifiers.
Our mission is to provide a free, worldclass education to anyone, anywhere. Misplacedanddanglingmodifiers 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. Misplaced and dangling modifiers watch, learn, and practice. A modifier a word or phrase that qualifies the meaning of another element in a sentence. The english teacher looking for tools, the student looking for some extra help, or the new english speaker hoping to master the language will find what he or she is. The powerpoint provides several examples for mastery and later for students to identify.
This correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers pdf documents worksheet is suitable for 7th grade. Worksheets relating to misplaced and dangling modifiers. Then rewrite the sentence, placing related words together and thereby making the meaning clear. Sighing with sadness, the expensive shoes were returned to the salesman. Recognize and correct the following kinds of misplacement. Then they were called dangling modifiers for a while. This lesson plan helps students understand misplaced modifiers and fix them. As a member, youll also get unlimited access to over 79,000 lessons in math, english, science, history, and more. At the end of the video, there is a super fun activity for your students to complete. Check your answers with the interactive version of the exercise. Often, they can be found at the beginning of sentences, though they can also appear at a sentences end. For example, the word only is a modifier thats easy to misplace. 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.
Depending on when you went to school, you may be familiar with these grammar rules under a different name. A dangling modifier a word, phrase, or clause that describes or modifies something that has been left out of the sentence. How to identify misplaced modifiers for the praxis core exam. Determine whether the sentences below contain misplaced or dangling modifiers. Dangling and misplaced modifiers linkedin slideshare. Because of this separation, the meaning of the sentence is often awkward, ridiculous, illogical, or confusing. The best misplaced and dangling modifiers of all time misplaced and dangling modifiers. Although misplaced or dangling modifiers are common in writing, they are incorrect and should be avoided because they cause confusion and alter the meaning. A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the. To fix the problem, you should revise the sentence like this. Grammar is a tough subject for most praxis core test takers. Once upon a time, misplaced modifiers were called dangling participles.
Misleading or illogical constructions like these are called dangling modifiers. They qualify the noun or verb, describe it, or change its meaning. The english teacher looking for tools, the student looking for some extra help, or the new english speaker hoping to master the language will find what he or she is looking for here. From real good grammar, too by mamie webb hixon created by april turner. Misplaced and dangling modifiers university of lynchburg. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you succeed. The two common types of modifier errors are called misplaced modifiers and dangling. This lesson shows the definition of a modifier and a clause, as well as the difference between a misplaced modifier and a dangling modifier. Learn how to correct misplaced and dangling modifiers. The following sentences contain misplaced modifiers. Most modifiers are either adjectival these modify nouns or adverbial these modify verbs, adjectives and adverbs. In other words, they seem to give a better understanding of a word or sentence.
We, coming home from the market, saw a terrible accident. Refer to discovery, 320324, for additional practice. Middle schoolers identify modifiers in sentences and label them as either dangling or misplaced. Label whether the sentence is a misplaced modifier m, a dangling modifier d or correct.
Slipping on the wet sidewalk, the keys fell from amaurys pocket. Although most commonly found at the beginning of the sentence, the dangling modifier may be. Dangling modifiers other times we write descriptive phrases that point to or modify words that are not clearly stated in our sentences, making our sentences illogical. Practice underline the misplaced word or words in each sentence. Misplaced modifiers, squinting modifiers, and dangling grammar by english spoken here video 2016 duration.
A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that clarifies or describes another word, phrase, or clause. Be careful when using modifiers, especially modifying phrases and clauses. Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that add detail or description to part of a sentence. The two common types of modifier errors are called misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. This is a practice quiz over problems with modifiers. This sentence reads as if the keys slipped on the wet sidewalk. A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word it modifies. Jan 11, 2018 modifiers are words and phrases that basically modify a word or sentence. Walking down the street, the buildings surrounded me like monolithic giants. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that is not clearly and logically related to the word or words it modifies i.