UNDERSTANDING MISPLACED AND DANGLING MODIFIERS
Misplaced Modifiers:
A misplaced modifier is a word or phrase that is placed so far away from the word it modifies (describes) that the meaning of the sentence is unclear or incorrect.
Misplaced: New life forms were found by scientists from Mars.
Corrected: New life forms from Mars were found by scientists.
Scientists found new life forms on Mars.
Misplaced: The Mobile County School District issued school handbooks to all students with plastic covers.
Corrected: The Mobile Country School District issued school handbooks with plastic covers to all
students.
Misplaced: Buried underneath rocks and mud, we discovered mysterious objects and creatures.
Corrected: We discovered mysterious objects and creatures buried underneath rocks and mud.
Your Turn: Read the sentence below. Correcting its misplaced modifier, rewrite it.
Turning plump and red, the gardener patiently watched his tomatoes.
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Dangling Modifiers:
A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that does not clearly modify any noun or pronoun in a sentence. To correct a sentence containing a dangling modifier, you will need to supply the word being modified. You will also need to add or rearrange other words to make the sentence clear and complete. Be sure not to create misplaced modifiers when correcting dangling modifiers.
Dangling: Looking around, the leaves on various trees are beginning to transform to their fall colors.
Corrected: Looking around, we notice that the leaves on various trees are beginning to transform to their fall colors.
Dangling: Born in Munich, Germany, the United States became his home in 1967.
Corrected: Born in Munich, Germany, my father made his home in the United States in 1967.
My father, who was born in Munich, Germany, made his home in the United States in 1967.
Dangling: My car keys were located reaching into my backpack.
Corrected: I located my car keys in my backpack.
While reaching into my backpack, I located my car keys.
Your Turn: Read the sentence below. Correcting its dangling modifier, rewrite it.
Standing at the mountain summit, the view was spectacular.
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Assignment on Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
Part One: Read each sentence below. If the sentence contains a misplaced or dangling modifier, neatly print I (for Incorrect) on the line provided. If the sentence’s modifier is correctly used, neatly print C (for Correct) on the line provided.
1. ______Floating through the air, I watched my kite.
2. ______Working all night long, the firefighters extinguished the fire.
3. ______Thanking the operator, my call was made correctly.
4. ______Filled with straw, the children played with the handmade dolls.
5. ______Reaching into the bushes, the snake nearly bit me.
6. ______Ray anxiously watched the moose in the distance wearing his green plaid robe.
7. ______Mr. Atkinson, while sitting quietly on the beach, watched the waves.
8. ______Running to catch the bus, the flour fell in the street.
9. ______The United States Capitol came into view landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
10. ______Sleeping soundly, I had my dream interrupted by the alarm.
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Part Two: Read each sentence below. Each contains a misplaced or dangling modifier. On the lines provided, rewrite each sentence correctly. Check for correct mechanics and usage.
1. While running to my car, my money fell out of my pocket.
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2. Roger was surprised by the elk while studying for his history test.
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3. The teacher read the instructions to his students talking slowly and loudly.
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WORKING WITH MISPLACED AND DANGLING MODIFIERS
Name ______Due ______
Part I: Read each sentence below. If a sentence is correctly written, print C on the line provided. If a sentence contains a misplaced or dangling modifier, print I on the line provided. (Each is worth one point.)
1.______Elected president in 1868, reconstruction in the South was one of Grant’s projects.
2.______Sitting in the oak tree, the moonlight illuminated the hooting owl.
3.______While watching television last night, I received a phone call from my English teacher.
4.______The waiter brought a pizza to the boy with cheese on top.
5.______He told us about his vacation on an audio tape.
6.______When he was five years old, my brother broke his arm while trying to climb a tree.
7.______My father has been urging me to become a dentist every day.
8.______Eric had thrown the magazine into the trash that I needed for my biology class.
9.______If the money is provided, I will sign up for the course.
10.______To play the guitar well, frequent practice is necessary.
Part II: Each sentence below contains either a misplaced or dangling modifier. Rewrite each correctly.
(Each is worth two points.)
1. Unlike most cities in the area, the Rocky Mountains shelter Denver.
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2. After spreading some smooth peanut butter, my whole-wheat bread tasted good.
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3. Chewing her slipper, Martha found her new puppy.
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Note: Proofread your sentences!!!!
ANOTHER ASSIGNMENT ON MODIFIERS
NAME______Due______
Part I: Correcting Misplaced Modifiers
Directions: Read the sentences below. They have problems with their modifiers. Rewrite the sentences so that the misplaced modifiers are corrected. (twenty points)
1. Swinging from one building to another, I watched Spider Man.
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2. After turning green, Batman and Robin sped through the traffic light.
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3. Extending the blades in his hands, Magneto grew afraid of Wolverine.
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Part II: Correctly Dangling Modifiers
Directions: Read the sentences below. They all contain dangling modifiers. Rewrite the sentences in order to correct the dangling modifiers. Add needed content.
4. In order to sew the dress properly, all of the material should be bought at one time.
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(TURN OVER!)
5. Showing off his muscles, his shirt extended around his back and arms.
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6. While strolling down the street, the strap on my left sandal broke.
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Quiz on Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
Name ______Block_____Date______
Instructions: Read the directions for Part One and for Part Two. Think about what you are doing. This quiz is worth 70 points.
Part One: Some of the sentences below contain misplaced or dangling modifiers. If a sentence contains a misplaced or dangling modifier, print I on the line. If a sentence is correctly written, print C on the line. Each is worth two points.
1.______While correcting papers, the message came from the principal.
2.______To complete her essay on time, she spent the afternoon working in the library.
3.______Before being painted, you should first put a coating of primer on the surface.
4.______Before living in Sacramento, Benjamin lived in Pittsburgh.
5.______Rodney stared through the microscope at the amoeba trying to focus accurately.
6.______Karen photographed a bear crossing the road with her camera.
7.______Denise rushed to the airport as the Los Angeles plane arrived and grabbed a malted milkshake.
8.______With a friendly grim, she asked me if I would like to buy a kitten.
9.______To be a good singer, clear enunciation is extremely important.
10.______Frightened by our presence, the rabbit’s ears perked up.
11.______When the city council met, the mayor said she would discuss the proposed budget.
12.______She counted twelve shooting stars sitting on the porch last night.
13.______Jacob glared at the dark sky that was threatening rain.
14.______Catching the pop fly with her usual accuracy, the inning was completed.
15.______In order to concentrate on your homework, you need complete silence.
16.______Betsy traveled to Paris especially to see Notre Dame Cathedral in her new car.
17.______While cleaning his eyeglasses, his car skidded dangerously into the curb.
18.______While running for the bus, my wallet must have dropped out of my pocket.
19.______On his way to school, Jack saw a dead dog in the middle of the road.
20.______In the Murphy High School auditorium, Andrew sang some folk songs about working on the railroad.
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(Turn over.)
Part Two: Read each sentence below. Each contains a misplaced or dangling modifier. On the lines provided, rewrite each sentence correctly. Check for correct mechanics and usage.
Note: Not correcting the misplaced modifier is minus three points. All other mistakes are minus one point.
1. There is an Egyptian bracelet in the local museum that is four thousand years old.
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2. James was delighted to see a field of daffodils hiking up the hill.
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3. Before moving to Theodore, New York City was his home.
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4. To work efficiently without sticking, be sure to clean your keyboard periodically.
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5. After crumbling for a hundred years, we found the castle quite dilapidated.
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