When they are out of place, the sentence will be awkward or confusing. A misplaced modifier happens to modify something that you did not intend to modify, oftenor hopefullywith humorous consequences. This worksheet explains what a modifier is, and then it gives examples and practice identifying them. In the blank beside each sentence, indicate whether the sentence is a dangling modifier dm or a misplaced modifier mm. In other words, they seem to give a better understanding of a word or sentence.
Misplaced modifiers unit 73200 information about misplaced modifiers can be found in 3200frames 14881526. James outside three rivers stadium on the night of the raid on charges of marijuana possession. Practice exercise b revise the following sentences to correct any dangling or misplaced modifiers. Here is a classic example from grockit of a sentence on the act english test with a misplaced modifier. 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. Use the reference sheet and activity to show middle schoolers how to edit confusing sentences with misplaced modifiers. Pdf learning proper grammar and usage rules for the english language can be a.
When a modifier is too far from the word it is describing, the sentence becomes confusing. Slipping on the wet sidewalk, the keys fell from amaurys pocket. 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. 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. A modifier a word or phrase that qualifies the meaning of another element in a sentence. I hope sometimes to hear the student symphony concerts this semester. The lesson shows the definition of a modifier and a clause, as well as the difference between a misplaced modifier and a dangling modifier. The two common types of modifier errors are called misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers.
In the example sentence above, patrick began to pedal but fell is an independent clause. Refer to discovery, 320324, for additional practice. Exercise a underline the misplaced modifier or dangling modifier in each sentence. I hope to sometime hear one of the student symphony concerts this semester. She drove across the desert with a lump in her throat. To learn more about misplaced modifiers in the context of the acts, read through the lesson called act english practice. Think you understand dangling and misplaced modifiers.
Choose the most suitable answer that identifies either dangling or misplaced modifier in the sentence. Dangling modifier walking to school,the morning was pleasant. The vehicle had a slightly flat tire and was parked on the front lawn of the starr residence. She got a job with macys after she left school which lasted for more than fifteen years. When you are finished, hit the check my work button at the bottom of the page to check your answers. On the night of the raid, two police officers arrested mr. Misplaced modifiers are important to be aware of in order to avoid them, and this quizworksheet will help you test your understanding of their problems and. A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that clarifies or describes another word, phrase, or clause. Modifiers a modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that describes another word or group of words in a sentence. Misplaced modifiers exercises the vehicle was parked on the front lawn of the starr residence with a slightly flat tire.
A misplaced modifier occurs when the modifier is located too far away from the word it modifies and the sentence does not make sense. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that either modifies no word in the sentence or refers to the wrong word. This is a practice quiz over problems with modifiers. I am pretty sure that the misplaced modifier is requires both a subject and a predicate. Smoking my cigar, a fire engine came roaring around the corner. Fix the misplaced modifiers in each given sentence. If a modifier is in the wrong place, the meaning of the sentence can change. 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. He sat very quietly, rolling his eyes in his chair. It consists of a language technologies tool box, a training and documentation centre and a virtual community. When modifiers are misplaced, the reader may misunderstand the sentence. Sometimes writers use modifiers incorrectly, leading to strange and unintentionally humorous sentences.
Adjectives and adverbs are the most common types of modifiers, but there are others. Modifiers, used correctly, clarify the meaning of a sentence. Each of the following sentences are either correct or incorrect. Grammar can be confusing at times, test yours below. Misplaced modifiers may be single words, phrases, or. Such words should be placed immediately before the word they modify. A modifier is a word or group of words that describes another word or group of words in a sentence.
These modifiers may be clauses, phrases, or single words. A dangling modifier fails to refer logically to any word in the sentence. This misplaced modifiers worksheet is suitable for 6th 9th grade. Misplaced modifiers exercises answers the following are suggested answers. Correct walking to school,i found the morning pleasant. Students then have to pick the correct sentences that do not have misplaced modifiers. A modifier is a word or phrase which limits the meaning of another word. The modifier should be placed as close as possible to the word it is describing. This is actually a reallife example of an ad with a modifier glitch.
Unlike a misplaced modifier, a dangling modifier cannot be corrected by simply moving it to a different place in a sentence. Check your answers with the interactive version of the exercise. A misplaced modifier is a modifying word, phrase, or clause that does not point clearly. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that is not clearly and logically related to the word or words it modifies i. Practice underline the misplaced word or words in each sentence. A dangling modifier as a misplaced modifier eries public schools. Modifiers are words and phrases that basically modify a word or sentence.
A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that doesnt clearly relate to the word or phrase it is intended to modify. A dangling modifier is much like a misplaced modifier, except the modifier lacks a word or group of words to modify. Avoid rephrased sentences, focus on the misplacement of the modifiers and the dangling modifiers. No one can shoot anything on this property except the owner. The artist isnt spouting the water, the blue whale is. Write the correction in the spaces above the sentences, using arrows if necessary to show the correct position of the modifier. Quia practice quiz dangling and misplaced modifiers. Misplaced and dangling modifiers university of lynchburg. This sentence reads as if the keys slipped on the wet sidewalk. Misplaced modifiers because word order is often important to the meaning of a sentence, a modifier, be it a phrase or a word, should be placed as close as possible to the word it modifies.
A modifier that is incorrectly placed is called a misplaced modifier. Note how the placement of the modifier creates different possible meanings. Modifying phrases must go next to the word that they modify. The doll belongs to my sister whose head is missing. Because of this separation, the meaning of the sentence is often awkward, ridiculous, illogical, or confusing. Practice sheet correct the following misplaced or squinting modifiers. This lesson will help you with the following objectives.
The only noun in the main clause is water the water was not swimming. Rewrite each sentence correctly and check the answers using the answer key below. When a sentence opens with such a modifier, readers expect the following clause to name the actor. A modifier should be placed next to the word it describes. In the following examples of misplaced modifiers, the adjective in boldface currently modifies the noun it is closest to underlined. Determine whether the sentences below contain misplaced or dangling modifiers. Mark lester and larry beason point out that misplaced modifiers do not make sentences ungrammatical. Note how different placement of the word only creates a difference in meaning between these two sentences. Misplaced modifiers worksheet for 6th 9th grade lesson. It can add extra information, describe an action, or simply clarify details about a noun in a sentence. Dangling modifiers are usually introductory word groups such as verbal phrases that suggest but do not name an actor. Looking out of door, the courier delivery guy appeared in front.
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. My sister walked in as i was scrubbing the floor with her new baby. Above the modifier,write m for misplaced or d for dangling. Recognize the following types of dangling modifiers and their corrections. Most modifiers are either adjectival these modify nouns or adverbial these modify verbs, adjectives and adverbs. Due to the fact that it is a clause that is placed improperly separated from the main modifying word which means that there should be subject and a predicate in order to understand the meaning. Sitting on the top shelf of the refrigerator, desmond saw moms pristine birthday. Circle the sentence that uses misplaced modifiers or dangling modifier correctly in the following sentences below. A typical example of a dangling modifier is illustrated in the sentence.
Misplaced modifiers exercises answers the following are. She saw a kitten and a puppy on the way to the store. The first worksheet explains what a modifier is, and then it gives examples and practice identifying misplaced modifiers. Linguistech is a reference web site for language professionals. Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that add detail or description to part of a sentence. In most cases a modifier should be near the word or phrase it modifies. Modifiers can include the present participle of a verb ing or the past participle of a verb ed. Modifiers describe, specify, or limit the meanings of other words. The most common type of misplaced modifier question on the act english test involves a modifying phrase. Displaying top 8 worksheets found for misplaced modifier. Misplaced modifiers a misplaced modifier is a modifier that is incorrectly separated from the word or words that it describes. In prescriptive grammar, misplaced modifiers are usually regarded as errors. Misplaced modifiers may be single words, phrases, or clauses.
When modifiers adjectives and adverbs are out of place, too far away from the word they modify, the sentence will be awkward or confusing. Dangling modifiers cause the sentence to lack coherence. In addition, it explains how misplaced modifiers can change the meaning of a sentence. You may write the new sentences on notebook paper if you choice. Make sure to have a writing consultant check your rewritten sentences to ensure their correctness. Dangling modifiers a dangling modifier is a modifier without something to modify.
Misplaced modifiers can alter the meaning of a sentence, and take away from a writers intended message. Rewrite each sentence, moving the misplaced modifier to its correct position. A misplaced modifier is an adjective or adverb that is out of position. Choose the sentence in which the modifiers are correctly placed. Misplaced modifiers seem to describe words that the author did not intend them to describe.
The modifying phrase with her new baby should logically modify how the sister walked. We can limit the applicability of this phrase by introducing various modifiers into it. Be careful when using modifiers, especially modifying phrases and clauses. A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word or clause it modifies or describes. You do complete the worksheet independently, then do the final check independently. Recognize and correct the following kinds of misplacement. While she was playing at the park, lindy accidentally stepped on a piece of glass without any shoes on.