Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers



Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers

➢ A _______________ is an _________________ or __________________, and can be written in the form of words, phrases, verbals, or clauses.

➢ Sometimes __________________ can be _________________. This doesn’t mean they are lost, but the meaning of the sentence might be lost.

➢ We know a _________________ is __________________ if we can’t tell what the modifiers are modifying.

➢ If a _______________ placement doesn’t make it clear what it __________________, the sentence may be misunderstood.

➢ To correct misplaced __________________, move the modifying word or phrase so that it appears directly ______________ or ______________ the word it modifies.

Example 1: I played with my pet dog in my Sunday suit. (Incorrect)

Underline the misplaced modifier.

Rewrite the sentence the correct way using the lines below.

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➢ Common _______________ that are _________________ are only, almost, just, even, merely, and scarcely.

Example 2: Look at the following sentences to see how the position of just affects the meaning of the sentence.

Just the boys thanked the coach. Meaning: _______________________________________

The boys just thanked the coach. Meaning: The boys did nothing else but thank the coach.

The boys thanked just the coach. Meaning: _______________________________________

Practice 1: Recognizing Misplaced Modifiers. Underline each misplaced modifier. If a sentence is correct, write correct.

1. The messenger spoke to the receptionist who delivered the package. _________________

2. The golfer won the trophy wearing green golf shoes. _________________

3. Our desire grew smaller to win the prize. _________________

4. Reaching the menu, Hugh decided to have the steak again. _________________

5. Finishing the dishes, we were ready to relax. _________________

6. The kitten drank the milk that was hungry. _________________

7. I hurried to open the gift happily surprised. _________________

8. Sailing into port, my grandfather stood at the wheel of his beautiful new boat. _________

9. Soaring gracefully over the treetops, I watched the hawk disappear from view. ________

10. Badly frightened, the puppy cowered under the porch. _________________

Practice 2: Correcting Misplaced Modifiers. These sentences contain misplaced modifiers. Rewrite each sentence correctly.

1. Piled up next to the washer, I began doing the laundry.

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2. While talking on the phone, the doorbell rang.

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3. I like to listen to rock music doing my homework.

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4. Swinging wildly through the trees, the children were delighted by the monkeys.

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5. I saw the trailer peeking through the window.

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6. She wants to just get rid of her teddy bears.

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7. Standing on the balcony, the ocean view was magnificent

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8. She only washed some of her clothes.

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9. Running across the floor, the rug slipped and I lost my balance.

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10. Spending way too much money on his old car, Fred’s salary just wasn’t enough.

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Practice 3: Circle the answer for the following questions. These are formatted like the state test.

1. Statement 1: Marlo watched a hilarious comedy show.

Statement 2: Marlo could barely hold back his laughter.

Which sentence combination avoids a misplaced modifier?

A. Watching the hilarious comedy show, Marlo could barely hold back his laughter.

B. Watching the hilarious comedy show, Marlo’s laughter could barely be held back.

C. Marlo’s laughter could barely be held back watching the hilarious comedy show.

D. Marlo watched a hilarious comedy show barely holding back his laughter.

2. Statement 1: Jamie played the best game of his life.

Statement 2: Jamie could not contain his excitement.

Which sentence combination contains a misplaced modifier?

A. Since Jamie played the best game of his life, he could not contain his excitement.

B. Jamie could not contain his excitement because he played the best game of his life.

C. Playing the best game of his life, Jamie’s excitement could not be contained.

D. Unable to contain his excitement, Jamie played the best game of his life.

Dangling Modifiers

A dangling modifier ____________________________________________________________

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To fix a dangling modifier ________________________________________________________

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Example

Giving a party, several balloons were blown up.

• The modifier should describe whoever gave the party, but no word in the sentence identifies the party giver.

Correct: Giving a party, they blew up several balloons.

• Adding who threw the party corrects the problem of the dangling modifier.

Practice 1: Recognizing Dangling Modifiers. Underline each dangling modifier. If a sentence is correct, write correct.

1. Skating across the pond, the ice was very slick. _________________

2. Studying for weeks, the test was easy. _________________

3. Considering my small allowance, the tickets were expensive. ________________

4. Writing letters at camp all afternoon, home seemed far away. ________________

5. Finishing the dishes, we were ready to relax. _________________

6. The roast was forgotten greeting the guests. _________________

7. Running to catch the bus, I stumbled and almost fell. _________________

8. Traveling for hours, we finally reached our destination, the best trout stream in the state. _________________

9. The smell of freshly baked bread reached my nose watching television. ________

10. Lost in a strange city, the theater could not be found. _________________

Practice 2: Correcting Dangling Modifiers. These sentences contain dangling modifiers. Rewrite each sentence correctly.

1. Trying to get to town quickly, the highway seemed best.

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2. Jogging one morning, the solution to the problem was obvious.

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3. When she was five, Paula’s mother graduated from the university.

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4. Wandering aimlessly in the woods, the first sight of camp was welcome.

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5. Hearing of the refugees’ plight, emergency funds were made available.

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6. Getting up much earlier than usual, the house seemed strangely quiet.

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7. When he developed measles, Dan’s father called the school.

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8. Absorbed in the crossword puzzle, the time passed quickly.

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9. Waiting for a ride, the rain pounded down all around.

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10. Sailing far from shore, a squall suddenly arose.

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Let’s put it all together!

Correcting Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers: Rewrite the following paragraph, correcting all misplaced or dangling modifiers.

Washington Irving’s stories often contain elements of fantasy. In one story, Rip van Winkle slept through the whole American Revolution that Irving wrote. Waking up, his rusted musket should have indicated that something unusual had happened. Rip was greeted by other puzzling things strolling into town. The faces of the people were all strange that he met. Hanging over the door of the inn, Rip noticed George Washington’s portrait. King George’s portrait had always hung there before. Rip then looked for his old friend, the innkeeper. Rip question an old man trying to find the innkeeper. The old man replied, “He is dead these eighteen years.”

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Modifier Notes

Modifier Notes

Modifier Notes

Modifier Notes

Modifier Notes

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