A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is located incorrectly in relation to the word or words it modifies. This humorous story helps students to learn about misplaced modifiers. The most frequent mistakes that occur with modifiers are misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. This assessment includes 7 sections and tests students knowledge of modifiers, misplaced modifiers, and dangling modifiers. How do we correct a misplaced or dangling participle. They are like dangling modifiers in that they attach themselves to an illogical subject technically speaking but are different in that they are not always found in opening clauses. How misused modifiers can hurt your writing emma bryce. Both dangling modifiers and misplaced modifiers lead to sentences that do not mean what their writers intended.
Misplaced and dangling modifiers often result in comic miscommunications. Dangling modifiers please correct the following sentences so that the subject of the sentence is in the right place. Saved for a rainy day, the sugar bowl was full of quarters. In the blank beside each sentence, indicate whether that sentence contains a dangling modifier dm or a misplaced modifier mm. In most cases a modifier should be near the word or phrase it modifies. A modifier is a word or phrase that describes another word or phrase. Misplaced modifiers a modifier that is placed too far away from the word it describes 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. Sometimes writers use modifiers incorrectly, leading to strange and unintentionally humorous sentences. A misplaced modifier, like it sounds, is a modifier that finds itself in the wrong part of the sentence. A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence.
If a modifier is in the wrong place, the meaning of the sentence can change. A collection of downloadable worksheets, exercises and activities to teach modifiers, shared by english language teachers. Choose the option that has no misplaced or dangling modifier. Dangling and misplaced modifiers austin peay state university. When you have completed the exercise, click on check my answers and check your answers with those on the answer key. Using modifiers 53 houghton mifflin harcourt publishing company exercise a each of the following sentences contains a misplaced clause. In this lesson plan, adaptable for grades 312, students explore brainpop features and resources to learn about misplaced modifiers, including dangling and squinting modifiers. Middle schoolers identify modifiers in sentences and label them as either dangling or misplaced. Make sure the modifier is as close as possible to the word, phrase, or clause it modifies. Then, draw an arrow to show where the misplaced clause belongs. When a sentence opens with such a modifier, readers expect the following clause to name the actor. We still have running around on his little hamster wheel at the beginning, but then we sort of, switched around the order of albert and his pet. This correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers pdf documents worksheet is suitable for 7th grade.
Recognize the following types of dangling modifiers and their corrections. Shaken, not stirred, james bond likes his martinis. Worksheets relating to misplaced and dangling modifiers. Sep 08, 2015 but when modifiers arent linked clearly enough to the words theyre actually referring to, they can create unintentional ambiguity. Scrubbing the tile grout with bleach and an old toothbrush, the mildew stains. Exchange papers with a classmate, and rewrite your classmates sentences to correct any misplaced modifiers. Often, they can be found at the beginning of sentences, though they can also appear at a sentences. 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. Rewrite each sentence to eliminate any misplaced or dangling participles. Grammargrounds grammar education is a free, comprehensive site with instruction, videos, quizzes, and more. What are misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. Unlike a misplaced modifier, a dangling modifier cannot be corrected by simply moving it to a different place in a sentence.
Label whether the sentence is a misplaced modifier m, a dangling modifier d or correct. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that is not clearly and logically related to. Too hungry to wait for brendas return from the restroom, the bowl of egg drop soup quickly disappeared. The two common types of modifier errors are called misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers.
This makes for some silly sentences when you think about what these really mean. Avoiding misplaced and dangling modifiers t 2000, 1999, 1998, 1998 margaret l. So now we have the critter following the modifier that its supposed to be modified by. Misplaced, interrupting, and dangling modifiers blinn college bryan writing center fall 2018 page 1 of 4 misplaced, interrupting, and dangling modifiers misplaced modifiers a misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is located incorrectly in relation to. Einstein explains the difference between a misplaced modifier and a dangling modifier. Check your answers with the interactive version of the exercise. Misplaced and dangling modifiers a modifier should be placed as close as possible to the word it modifies. A dangling modifier fails to refer logically to any word in the sentence. The children attended the public school wearing uniforms. If it doesnt the modifier dangles from hacker, diana. If youve had problems with dangling modifiers in your writing, heres a handout to help you eliminate them. A misplaced modifier is a modifying word, phrase, or clause that does not point clearly and directly to what it is supposed to modify.
Underline the subject and rewrite the sentence, making the modifier apply clearly to the word it modifies. Refer to discovery, 320324, for additional practice. Although dangling and misplaced modifiers can pose some serious problems in writing, they can be fun to read. 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. Misplaced and dangling modifiers towson university. Nov 15, 2012 in this video, we will discuss misplaced and dangling modifiers in english. A misplaced modifier is closer syntactically to a word that it isnt meant to modify. When modifiers adjectives and adverbs are out of place, too far away from the word they modify, the sentence will be awkward or confusing. My sister walked in as i was scrubbing the floor with her new baby. Correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers pdf documents.
Often prepositional phrases, verbal phrases or adjective clauses are too far away from the word they are meant to modify. The most common modifier mistakes are dangling modifiers and misplaced modifiers. After being beaten and deflated, the dough was shaped and seasoned by the baker. Always put a modifier as close as you can to the word the modifier describes. Dangling modifiers cause the sentence to lack coherence. Misplaced, interrupting, and dangling modifiers blinn college. In one story, rip van winkle slept through the whole american revolution that irving wrote. Print or display the practice questions on one of the attached pdf files suggested answers at the end of each file. For example, to clarify the word dog, a writer might use the modifier brown. 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.
How to fix dangling and misplaced modifiers with examples. Exercise c most of the following sentences contain a misplaced or a dangling modifier. A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word it modifies describes. Misplaced and dangling modifiers appear most commonly in journalistic writing and advertisements, but they are also common in academic writing as well. View this course and get bonus materials free here. Misplaced modifiers a misplaced modifier is a word or phrase incorrectly separated from the word it modifies. Emma bryce navigates the sticky world of misplaced.
Displaying top 8 worksheets found for misplaced modifier. Modifiers can take the form of a word, phrase, or clause, and should point clearly toward the words they modify. Misplaced modifiers can alter the meaning of a sentence, and take away from a writers intended message. Please have a writing counselor check the remaining exercises. Write your answers in the space provided under each item. Unlike a misplaced modifier, a dangling modifier cannot be corrected by simply moving it to a. A misplaced modifier appears to modify the wrong word in a sentence. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that either modifies no word in the sentence or refers to the wrong word. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that does not logically modify any word in the sentence in which it appears. Misplaced modifiers dangling modifiers fall under the larger category of misplaced modifiers. Misplaced modifiers are words or phrases that do not clearly point to the word or phrase they modify, in this way obscuring meaning. Drooling in anticipation of the treat, gizmo waited for sylvia to reward him with. Using what they learn, students will create misplaced modifier cartoons. A modifier that is incorrectly placed is called 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. Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that modify, and they qualify or limit the meaning of other words. In each case, see if you can explain both the intended meaning and the unintended meaning. A modifying word or phrase at the beginning of a sentence should be followed immediately by the subject it modifies. Deciding to join the navy, the recruiter enthusiastically shook joes hand. Dangling and misplaced modifiers in written english, every modifier should clearly modify something. A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that clarifies or describes another word, phrase, or clause. The modifying phrase with her new baby should logically modify how the sister walked. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that is not clearly and logically related to the word or words it modifies i. Misplaced modifiers may be single words, phrases, or clauses. Determine whether the sentences below contain misplaced or dangling modifiers. Constructing sentences 5 constructing sentences checkup instructions there are many sentence errors in the text on the following page, including runon sentences, sentence fragments, faulty parallel structure, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers, faulty subjectverb agreement, and faulty pronoun agreement. These can be hard to notice if youre not looking carefully at the structur.
Ixl misplaced modifiers with pictures 7th grade language arts. Seventh grade lesson editing our writing for dangling modifiers. The waiter served a dinner roll that was well buttered to the woman. Because of this separation, the meaning of the sentence is often awkward, ridiculous, illogical, or confusing. Dangling and misplaced modifiers dangling modifiers are words or phrases that do not have a clear term to modify in a sentence. Use the reference sheet and activity to show middle schoolers how to edit confusing sentences with misplaced modifiers. Modifying phrases must go next to the word that they modify. A misplaced modifier is too far away from the thing its supposed to modify, while a dangling modifier s intended subject is missing from the sentence altogether. The powerpoint provides several examples for mastery and later for students to identify.
Remember that most modifiers come as close to their targets as possible. Dangling modifiers are usually introductory word groups such as verbal phrases that suggest but do not name an actor. That i like best is modifying the color by providing additional information. Bitter winds swept the coast that blew in from the north. Note how different placement of the word only creates a difference in meaning between these two sentences. Students will learn what a modifier is and what common mistakes are often made with modifiers in writing. In all of the following sentences, there are modifiers that do not apply clearly to the word they modify. First, identify the misplaced or dangling modifier. A modifier a word or phrase that qualifies the meaning of another element in a sentence.
Misplaced and dangling modifiers a dangling modifier is a word or phrase that suggests but does not clearly name an actor. I will say, in order to make sure our writing is clear and coherent, i am going to show you how to recognize dangling and misplaced modifiers by using the skill of editing your sentences and the strategy of using examples of incorrect and revised sentences. Correct any misplaced words in the sentences below, rewriting the sentence so that the misplaced word is next to the word it modifies. This lesson shows the definition of a modifier and a clause, as well as the difference between a misplaced modifier and a dangling modifier. Misplaced and dangling modifiers item 1 which sentence. The best way to recognize them is to practice finding and correcting them. Both terms refer to modifiers that are connected to the wrong thing in a sentence.
Plural forms of noun modifiers are usually but not always changed to the single form. Now customize the name of a clipboard to store your clips. Washington irvings stories often contain elements of fantasy. Students are given the task of finding the misplaced modifiers in this. First, a brief explanation about english word order. A modifier describes, clarifies, or gives more detail about a concept. Correcting misplaced modifiers word usage worksheets. 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. Recognize and correct the following kinds of misplacement. This is a deceptively simple task, but rise to the challenge. Misplaced and dangling modifiers can be difficult to detect since we have a tendency to make sense out of what is really not sensible. What is the difference between dangling and misplaced modifiers.
After being beaten and deflated is called a modifier because it modifies or describes someone or something in the same sentence. Struggling with the tight jeans, the zipper would not budge. See how creative and humorous you can get by writing ten sentences with misplaced and dangling modifiers. It is a word or phrase that qualifies modifies a word, phrase or clause. Nguyen returned her perfect calculus test with an eartoear grin. Having finished the assignment, jill turned on the tv. Rewrite the following paragraph, correcting all misplaced or dangling modifiers. Fixing misplaced modifiers rearranging sentence parts will often fix a misplaced modifier. Improve your language arts knowledge with free questions in misplaced modifiers with pictures and thousands of other language arts skills. Voiceover yeah so like, that is dangling modifiers, and how you get rid of them. You may need to add a few words or reword some parts so the sentence is logical. Turn the misplaced or dangling participle into a dependent. Note how the placement of the modifier creates different possible meanings. The fisherman left his live sack of bait on the dock.
A modifier is a word or group of words that explains another word or group of words in a sentence. Confusing clear mary got into the police car wearing a. Then they will exchange cartoons with a partner, and identify the intended and unintended meanings. As a rule, modifiers and related words should be kept close together in a sentence. Modifiers should be placed as close as possible to the word or words they describe in order to avoid confusion. A misplaced modifier is a word that is separated from the word it describes. Misplaced modifiers a misplaced modifier is a word or word group placed so far away from what it refers to or modifies that the reader may be confused. Instead, it should go right next to the thing its supposed to modify. The modifier should be placed as close as possible to the word it is describing. Modifiers should be placed as close as possible to the. Clipping is a handy way to collect important slides you want to go back to later.
Modifiers should be placed as closely as possible to the words they modify in order to keep the meaning clear harris 120. Although most commonly found at the beginning of the sentence, the dangling modifier may be. Then, on the line provided, revise each sentence so that it is clear and correct. Misplaced, dangling, and squinting modifiers overview. A modifier should be placed next to the word it describes. Welcome to esl printables, the website where english language teachers exchange resources.