This lesson shows the definition of a modifier and a clause, as well as the difference between a misplaced modifier and a dangling modifier. 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. A dangling modifier is a word or phrase within a sentence that does not clearly refer to a specific subject. Iq quiz misplaced modifiers runon sentences finish the miley cyrus lyrics zombie hunter certification test runon sentences misplaced modifiers are you smarter than a fifth grader. A misplaced modifier does not link clearly to what it is meant to modify. Slipping on the wet sidewalk, the keys fell from amaurys pocket. Dangling and misplaced modifiers dangling modifiers are words or phrases that do not have a clear term to modify in a sentence. However, they can be found at the end of sentences as well. With a misplaced modifier, the thing being modified is present this is how it differs from a dangling modifier, but the modifier does not link to it. How to eliminate dangling modifiers from your writing. Dangling and misplaced participles often give rise to absurdly humorous scenarios. 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.
Grammargrounds grammar education is a free, comprehensive site with instruction, videos, quizzes, and more. Some of the things youll need to know include the definitions of modifier and context. Which of the following sentences contains a dangling modifier. Remember that most modifiers come as close to their targets as possible. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that is not clearly and logically related to the word or words it modifies or describes. 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. To remedy this, the words must be rearranged to make the plane the subject of the sentence. You will differentiate between using protected, public and private to describe variables in java. 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. Writers have problems using modifiers when they forget to mention the word that the modifier is supposed to describe. In the second sentence, its clear who was wearing the wrinkled skirt.
Recognize the following types of dangling modifiers and their corrections. This sentence reads as if the keys slipped on the wet sidewalk. Read each sentence, underlining the introductory modifier and doubleunderlining the. This short quiz will test your understanding of dangling modifiers. Drooling in anticipation of the treat, gizmo waited for sylvia to reward him with a dog cookie. The plane shook the aircraft carrier with its force, is the only answer choice that does. Quiz the elusive dangling modifier grammar pecks english. The sentence features a dangling modifier, making it seem like the aircraft carrier is the object alighting, when in fact the plane alights on the carrier. Fixing misplaced modifiers rearranging sentence parts will often fix a misplaced modifier. Modifiers multiple choice questions or quiz or test. Quia practice quiz dangling and misplaced modifiers. Can you determine which sentence in each question is grammatically correct.
To pass the quiz, youll need to know what a dangling modifier is and know how to fix a sentence. This is an example of a modifier that disrupts a sentence. Therefore, a noun phrase is usually formed as follows. Smoking my cigar, a fire engine came roaring around the corner. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that either modifies no word in the sentence or refers to the wrong word. Misplaced modifiers can usually be corrected by moving the modifier to a more sensible place in the sentence, generally next to the word it modifies. Modifiers can either be adjectives or adverbs and can be phrases, dependent clauses, or single words. Test your understanding of misplaced modifiers with an interactive quiz and printable worksheet. Recast the sentence so that the phrase properly modifies the part of the sentence it refers to. Keep in mind everything you know about dangling and misplaced modifiers. Having learned spanish in just three months, the stay in mexico was a success.
Voiceover so, when you have a modifier at the beginning of your sentence, and its set off with a comma, like all of these are, thats when you have to pay attention, and make sure that the noun or phrase coming right after the modifier is matched up with the modifier, so that its describing the right thing. Drooling in anticipation of the treat, gizmo waited for sylvia to reward him with. Working all weekend, jamal nearly earned five hundred dollars. Did the man get a cream cake in the face or was he the one with the cream cake. A dangling modifier is a type of misplaced modifier. Rewrite the following sentences to repair any dangling modifiers. Nguyen returned her perfect calculus test with an eartoear grin. A dangling modifier is misplaced because it does not have anything to modify. 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. Wearing a wrinkled skirt, mary got into the police car.
A dangling modifier is a type of misplaced modifier that modifies a word or phrase that is not clearly stated in a sentence. Always put a modifier as close as you can to the word the modifier describes. The two common types of modifier errors are called misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. Dangling modifiers thebluebird11 on june 29, 2017 10. Driving up the rockstrewn mountain, the tire went flat. All modifiers, words that add clarify, describe, or add detail to.
Then, in the mm sentences, circle the modifier and draw an arrow to show where it should go. This quiz was made for you to be able to test your knowledge about dangling modifiers. The man was stopped for speeding in the blue sweater. Then decide whether or not it contains a misplaced or dangling modifier. Select the sentence that uses the modifier correctly. Modifiers multiple choice questions or quiz or test choose the most suitable answer that identifies either dangling or misplaced modifier in the sentence. Misplaced modifiers exercises answers the following are.
A dangling modifier is basically a writing mistake and it is corrected by rearranging the words of the sentence or adding a. From who and whom to hyphens, from commas to plain language, from usage woes to grammar. Below is an example of a sentence with a squinting modifier. Unlike many other students, jim didnt have any problems with his teachers. Riding in a swiftly moving vehicle, the landscape becomes blurred. Check your answers with the interactive version of the exercise. When you are finished, click on the check my work button at the bottom of the page to view the correct answers. If not there already copy the purple sentence and paste it into the box provided. I almost saw the whole movie, but i fell asleep around midnight. Misplaced modifiers exercises answers the following are suggested answers. Avoiding misplaced modifiers is essential to good grammar and concise writing.
The way i understood the first example, it was like as the editor of a key magazine for coverage of national policy issues, you are cordially invited to a special event. A comprehensive database of more than 12 dangling modifier quizzes online, test your knowledge with dangling modifier quiz questions. Correcting misplaced modifiers word usage worksheets. If youre behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains. A modifier a word or phrase that qualifies the meaning of another element in a sentence. Adjectives are words that modify nouns and pronouns. Tommy finally finished the test, filled with pride. Choose the option that has no misplaced or dangling modifier. You might want to consult the rules before you make your choice. 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. Confusing clear mary got into the police car wearing a wrinkled skirt. Our online dangling modifier trivia quizzes can be adapted to suit your requirements for taking some of the top dangling modifier quizzes. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
Sometimes writers use modifiers incorrectly, leading to strange and unintentionally humorous sentences. Move the word completely to modify the attitude of the unions only. In the following sentences, identify and correct the misplaced and dangling modifiers. The powerpoint provides several examples for mastery and later for students to identify.
Dangling modifiers are also called dangling participles what is a dangling modifier. Wishing on a star, we felt that the night was magical. Often, they can be found at the beginning of sentences, though they can also appear at a sentences end. Careful not to leave any extra spaces between words or at the end of the sentence, lest it prevent the program from accepting your answer. Dangling modifiers cause the sentence to lack coherence. Pecks english pointers is a collection of lively articles spanning english grammar, punctuation, usage and clarity. A modifier modifies the word that is closest to it. Unlike a misplaced modifier, a dangling modifier cannot be corrected by simply moving it to a different place in a sentence. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that is not clearly and logically related to the word or words it modifies i. To become a good photographer, the camera must be used carefully. As the words my father come right after the modifier part, the modifier modifies the age of father, not the age of the speaker. Having learned french in just three months, paul was as happy as he could be. A modifier is a word or group of words that describe other words in a sentence. Having failed the test, mary asked the teacher to help her prepare for the next one.
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