2. Misplaced ModifiersMisplaced ModifiersMisplaced ModifiersMisplaced Modifiers
Should I put
my modifier
at the
beginning of
the sentence?
Should I put
my modifier
at the
beginning of
the sentence?
Or would it be
better in the
middle? Or at
the end?
Or would it be
better in the
middle? Or at
the end?
4. A misplaced and/orA misplaced and/or
inappropriately used modifierinappropriately used modifier
item on an objective testitem on an objective test
might look like thismight look like this .. ....
5. Sample ItemSample ItemSample ItemSample Item
A.A. Broken and dusty, Clarence found an oldBroken and dusty, Clarence found an old
computer in the garage.computer in the garage.
B.B. Broken and dusty, the garage had an oldBroken and dusty, the garage had an old
computer that was found by Clarence.computer that was found by Clarence.
C.C. In the garage, Clarence found an oldIn the garage, Clarence found an old
computer that was broken and dusty.computer that was broken and dusty.
A.A. Broken and dusty, Clarence found an oldBroken and dusty, Clarence found an old
computer in the garage.computer in the garage.
B.B. Broken and dusty, the garage had an oldBroken and dusty, the garage had an old
computer that was found by Clarence.computer that was found by Clarence.
C.C. In the garage, Clarence found an oldIn the garage, Clarence found an old
computer that was broken and dusty.computer that was broken and dusty.
Are the
modifiers placed
correctly at A,
B, or C?
Are the
modifiers placed
correctly at A,
B, or C?
C is correct; the
computer — not
Clarence, not the
garage — is broken
and dusty.
C is correct; the
computer — not
Clarence, not the
garage — is broken
and dusty.
6. Place aPlace a present participle phrasepresent participle phrase
right before or right after the word itright before or right after the word it
describes.describes.
Place aPlace a present participle phrasepresent participle phrase
right before or right after the word itright before or right after the word it
describes.describes.
Dripping with hot fudge and whipped cream,Dripping with hot fudge and whipped cream, thethe
childrenchildren ate banana splits.ate banana splits.
The children ateThe children ate banana splitsbanana splits dripping with hotdripping with hot
fudge and whipped cream.fudge and whipped cream.
Present participle:Present participle: verbverb ++ inging
Well, that sounds as if
the children are
dripping with the hot
fudge!
Well, that sounds as if
the children are
dripping with the hot
fudge!
Good! Now the
banana splits are
dripping with hot fudge!
Good! Now the
banana splits are
dripping with hot fudge!
7. Place aPlace a past participle phrasepast participle phrase rightright
before or right after the word itbefore or right after the word it
describes.describes.
Place aPlace a past participle phrasepast participle phrase rightright
before or right after the word itbefore or right after the word it
describes.describes.
In the living room, Paul kicked theIn the living room, Paul kicked the televisiontelevision
angered by the football score.angered by the football score.
Angered by the football score,Angered by the football score, PaulPaul kicked thekicked the
television in the living room.television in the living room.
Past participle:Past participle: regular =regular = verbverb ++ eded; irregular; irregular
forms vary.forms vary.
This sounds as if the
television is angered
by the football score!
This sounds as if the
television is angered
by the football score!
Right! This sounds as if
Paul is angered by the
football score!
Right! This sounds as if
Paul is angered by the
football score!
8. Place anPlace an adjective clauseadjective clause rightright
after the word it describes.after the word it describes.
Place anPlace an adjective clauseadjective clause rightright
after the word it describes.after the word it describes.
The landscaper wrestled the old lawnmowerThe landscaper wrestled the old lawnmower
through the longthrough the long grassgrass that coughed and choked.that coughed and choked.
The landscaper wrestled the oldThe landscaper wrestled the old lawnmowerlawnmower thatthat
coughed and choked through the long grass.coughed and choked through the long grass.
AnAn adjective clauseadjective clause begins with a word such asbegins with a word such as
thatthat,, whichwhich,, oror whowho..
I don’t know about you,
but I have never heard
grass cough and
choke!
I don’t know about you,
but I have never heard
grass cough and
choke!
That makes sense! An
old lawn mower can
cough and choke!
That makes sense! An
old lawn mower can
cough and choke!
9. To place modifiers correctly, avoidTo place modifiers correctly, avoid
passive voice verbspassive voice verbs..
To place modifiers correctly, avoidTo place modifiers correctly, avoid
passive voice verbspassive voice verbs..
Typing furiously, theTyping furiously, the essayessay was finished bywas finished by
Beatrice just before the 3 p.m. deadline.Beatrice just before the 3 p.m. deadline.
Typing furiously,Typing furiously, BeatriceBeatrice finished the essayfinished the essay
by the 3 p.m. deadline.by the 3 p.m. deadline.
Passive voice:Passive voice: form ofform of bebe ++ pastpast
participleparticiple ++ byby..
I wish my essays typed
themselves! But that’s
just not logical!
I wish my essays typed
themselves! But that’s
just not logical!
This is logical! Beatrice
can type an essay!
This is logical! Beatrice
can type an essay!
10. Quick TestQuick TestQuick TestQuick Test
Directions:Directions: In the items that follow, chooseIn the items that follow, choose
the sentence in which the modifiers arethe sentence in which the modifiers are
correctly placed.correctly placed.
Let’s see
what you
can do.
Let’s see
what you
can do.
11. Item 1Item 1Item 1Item 1
A.A. Sitting on the top shelf of the refrigerator,Sitting on the top shelf of the refrigerator,
Desmond saw Mom’s pristine birthday cake.Desmond saw Mom’s pristine birthday cake.
B.B. Desmond, sitting on the top shelf of theDesmond, sitting on the top shelf of the
refrigerator, saw Mom’s pristine birthday cakerefrigerator, saw Mom’s pristine birthday cake
C.C. Sitting on the top shelf of the refrigerator,Sitting on the top shelf of the refrigerator,
Mom’s pristine birthday cake caught Desmond’sMom’s pristine birthday cake caught Desmond’s
attention.attention.
A.A. Sitting on the top shelf of the refrigerator,Sitting on the top shelf of the refrigerator,
Desmond saw Mom’s pristine birthday cake.Desmond saw Mom’s pristine birthday cake.
B.B. Desmond, sitting on the top shelf of theDesmond, sitting on the top shelf of the
refrigerator, saw Mom’s pristine birthday cakerefrigerator, saw Mom’s pristine birthday cake
C.C. Sitting on the top shelf of the refrigerator,Sitting on the top shelf of the refrigerator,
Mom’s pristine birthday cake caughtMom’s pristine birthday cake caught
Desmond’s attention.Desmond’s attention.
12. Item 2Item 2Item 2Item 2
A.A. Loudly slurping the bowl of hot soup, Derrick’sLoudly slurping the bowl of hot soup, Derrick’s
impolite behavior annoyed the other dinerimpolite behavior annoyed the other diner
patrons.patrons.
B.B. As Derrick loudly slurped the bowl of hot soup,As Derrick loudly slurped the bowl of hot soup,
his impolite behavior annoyed the other dinerhis impolite behavior annoyed the other diner
patrons.patrons.
C.C. Loudly slurping the hot soup, the other dinerLoudly slurping the hot soup, the other diner
patrons were annoyed by Derrick’s impolitepatrons were annoyed by Derrick’s impolite
behavior.behavior.
A.A. Loudly slurping the bowl of hot soup, Derrick’sLoudly slurping the bowl of hot soup, Derrick’s
impolite behavior annoyed the other dinerimpolite behavior annoyed the other diner
patrons.patrons.
B.B. As Derrick loudly slurped the bowl of hotAs Derrick loudly slurped the bowl of hot
soup, his impolite behavior annoyed thesoup, his impolite behavior annoyed the
other diner patrons.other diner patrons.
C.C. Loudly slurping the hot soup, the other dinerLoudly slurping the hot soup, the other diner
patrons were annoyed by Derrick’s impolitepatrons were annoyed by Derrick’s impolite
behavior.behavior.
13. Item 3Item 3Item 3Item 3
A.A. Seated by the window, Barbara munchedSeated by the window, Barbara munched
popcorn on the long bus ride home.popcorn on the long bus ride home.
B.B. Seated by the window, popcorn was munchedSeated by the window, popcorn was munched
by Barbara on the long bus ride home.by Barbara on the long bus ride home.
C.C. Barbara munched popcorn seated by theBarbara munched popcorn seated by the
window on the long bus ride home.window on the long bus ride home.
A.A. Seated by the window, Barbara munchedSeated by the window, Barbara munched
popcorn on the long bus ride home.popcorn on the long bus ride home.
B.B. Seated by the window, popcorn was munchedSeated by the window, popcorn was munched
by Barbara on the long bus ride home.by Barbara on the long bus ride home.
C.C. Barbara munched popcorn seated by theBarbara munched popcorn seated by the
window on the long bus ride home.window on the long bus ride home.
14. Item 4Item 4Item 4Item 4
A.A. Rosalind struggled up the three flights of stairsRosalind struggled up the three flights of stairs
in her new jeans, which were too tight forin her new jeans, which were too tight for
comfort.comfort.
B.B. Too tight for comfort, Rosalind struggled up theToo tight for comfort, Rosalind struggled up the
three flights of stairs in her new jeans.three flights of stairs in her new jeans.
C.C. In her new jeans, Rosalind struggled up threeIn her new jeans, Rosalind struggled up three
flights of stairs, which were too tight for comfort.flights of stairs, which were too tight for comfort.
A.A. Rosalind struggled up the three flights ofRosalind struggled up the three flights of
stairs in her new jeans, which were too tightstairs in her new jeans, which were too tight
for comfort.for comfort.
B.B. Too tight for comfort, Rosalind struggled up theToo tight for comfort, Rosalind struggled up the
three flights of stairs in her new jeans.three flights of stairs in her new jeans.
C.C. In her new jeans, Rosalind struggled up threeIn her new jeans, Rosalind struggled up three
flights of stairs, which were too tight for comfort.flights of stairs, which were too tight for comfort.
15. Item 5Item 5Item 5Item 5
A.A. Twisting in the strong wind, we knew theTwisting in the strong wind, we knew the
hurricane was close as we watched the trees.hurricane was close as we watched the trees.
B.B. We knew the hurricane was close as weWe knew the hurricane was close as we
watched the trees twisting in the strong wind.watched the trees twisting in the strong wind.
C.C. We knew the hurricane was close, twisting inWe knew the hurricane was close, twisting in
the wind, as we watched the trees.the wind, as we watched the trees.
A.A. Twisting in the strong wind, we knew theTwisting in the strong wind, we knew the
hurricane was close as we watched the trees.hurricane was close as we watched the trees.
B.B. We knew the hurricane was close as weWe knew the hurricane was close as we
watched the trees twisting in the strongwatched the trees twisting in the strong
wind.wind.
C.C. We knew the hurricane was close, twisting inWe knew the hurricane was close, twisting in
the wind, as we watched the trees.the wind, as we watched the trees.
16. Item 6Item 6Item 6Item 6
A.A. Applying red toenail paint, Will asked Rhonda ifApplying red toenail paint, Will asked Rhonda if
she could interrupt her beauty regimen to go toshe could interrupt her beauty regimen to go to
the mall.the mall.
B.B. Will asked Rhonda, who was applying redWill asked Rhonda, who was applying red
toenail paint, if she could interrupt her beautytoenail paint, if she could interrupt her beauty
regimen to go to the mall.regimen to go to the mall.
C.C. Will asked if Rhonda could interrupt her beautyWill asked if Rhonda could interrupt her beauty
regimen to go to the mall, which was applyingregimen to go to the mall, which was applying
red toenail paint.red toenail paint.
A.A. Applying red toenail paint, Will asked Rhonda ifApplying red toenail paint, Will asked Rhonda if
she could interrupt her beauty regimen to go toshe could interrupt her beauty regimen to go to
the mall.the mall.
B.B. Will asked Rhonda, who was applying redWill asked Rhonda, who was applying red
toenail paint, if she could interrupt hertoenail paint, if she could interrupt her
beauty regimen to go to the mall.beauty regimen to go to the mall.
C.C. Will asked if Rhonda could interrupt her beautyWill asked if Rhonda could interrupt her beauty
regimen to go to the mall, which was applyingregimen to go to the mall, which was applying
red toenail paint.red toenail paint.
17. Item 7Item 7Item 7Item 7
A.A. Struggling with the algebra problem, the pencilStruggling with the algebra problem, the pencil
tapped nervously on Kenneth’s desk.tapped nervously on Kenneth’s desk.
B.B. Struggling with the algebra problem, Kenneth’sStruggling with the algebra problem, Kenneth’s
desk was tapped nervously with the pencil.desk was tapped nervously with the pencil.
C.C. Struggling with the algebra problem, KennethStruggling with the algebra problem, Kenneth
nervously tapped his pencil on the desk.nervously tapped his pencil on the desk.
A.A. Struggling with the algebra problem, the pencilStruggling with the algebra problem, the pencil
tapped nervously on Kenneth’s desk.tapped nervously on Kenneth’s desk.
B.B. Struggling with the algebra problem, Kenneth’sStruggling with the algebra problem, Kenneth’s
desk was tapped nervously with the pencil.desk was tapped nervously with the pencil.
C.C. Struggling with the algebra problem,Struggling with the algebra problem,
Kenneth nervously tapped his pencil on theKenneth nervously tapped his pencil on the
desk.desk.
18. Item 8Item 8Item 8Item 8
A.A. Marking his score sheet with care, the hope thisMarking his score sheet with care, the hope this
week was that Byron would pass his vocabularyweek was that Byron would pass his vocabulary
quiz.quiz.
B.B. Marking his score sheet with care, Byron hopedMarking his score sheet with care, Byron hoped
that this week he would pass his vocabularythat this week he would pass his vocabulary
quiz.quiz.
C.C. Hoping that this week he would pass hisHoping that this week he would pass his
vocabulary quiz, the score sheet was markedvocabulary quiz, the score sheet was marked
carefully by Byron.carefully by Byron.
A.A. Marking his score sheet with care, the hope thisMarking his score sheet with care, the hope this
week was that Byron would pass his vocabularyweek was that Byron would pass his vocabulary
quiz.quiz.
B.B. Marking his score sheet with care, ByronMarking his score sheet with care, Byron
hoped that this week he would pass hishoped that this week he would pass his
vocabulary quiz.vocabulary quiz.
C.C. Hoping that this week he would pass hisHoping that this week he would pass his
vocabulary quiz, the score sheet was markedvocabulary quiz, the score sheet was marked
carefully by Byron.carefully by Byron.
19. Item 9Item 9Item 9Item 9
A.A. Splashing in the puddles left by theSplashing in the puddles left by the
thunderstorm, Jayanti cooled her hot feet.thunderstorm, Jayanti cooled her hot feet.
B.B. Splashing in the puddles left by theSplashing in the puddles left by the
thunderstorm, the cool water refreshedthunderstorm, the cool water refreshed
Jayanti’s hot feet.Jayanti’s hot feet.
C.C. Splashing in the puddles, the thunderstormSplashing in the puddles, the thunderstorm
cooled Jayanti’s hot feet.cooled Jayanti’s hot feet.
A.A. Splashing in the puddles left by theSplashing in the puddles left by the
thunderstorm, Jayanti cooled her hot feet.thunderstorm, Jayanti cooled her hot feet.
B.B. Splashing in the puddles left by theSplashing in the puddles left by the
thunderstorm, the cool water refreshedthunderstorm, the cool water refreshed
Jayanti’s hot feet.Jayanti’s hot feet.
C.C. Splashing in the puddles, the thunderstormSplashing in the puddles, the thunderstorm
cooled Jayanti’s hot feet.cooled Jayanti’s hot feet.
20. Item 10Item 10Item 10Item 10
A.A. Huddled by the door, the rain made the wetHuddled by the door, the rain made the wet
kitten cry to come in.kitten cry to come in.
B.B. Crying to come in, the door is where the wetCrying to come in, the door is where the wet
kitten huddled during the rain.kitten huddled during the rain.
C.C. Huddled by the door, the wet kitten cried toHuddled by the door, the wet kitten cried to
come in from the rain.come in from the rain.
A.A. Huddled by the door, the rain made the wetHuddled by the door, the rain made the wet
kitten cry to come in.kitten cry to come in.
B.B. Crying to come in, the door is where the wetCrying to come in, the door is where the wet
kitten huddled during the rain.kitten huddled during the rain.
C.C. Huddled by the door, the wet kitten criedHuddled by the door, the wet kitten cried
to come in from the rain.to come in from the rain.
21. chomp!
chomp!
Grammar Bytes!
provides additional
handouts and exercises
on misplaced and
dangling modifiers.
Go to
chompchomp.com!
Grammar Bytes!
provides additional
handouts and exercises
on misplaced and
dangling modifiers.
Go to
chompchomp.com!
