Modifiers

1. MODIFIERS
TEACHER: JOSE MARI B. ABOYO

2. Misplaced Modifiers
Misplaced Modifiers are words that, because of
their placement, confuse the meaning of a sentence.
Words should be placed as closely as possible to
what they describe.

3. Examples
Misplaced modifier
The students could see the shuttle launch from the school.
Correct
From the school, the students could see the shuttle launch.
Explanation
The shuttle did not launch from the school.

4. Examples
Misplaced modifier
We had a pizza after the movie that was delicious.
Correct
After the movie, we had a pizza that was delicious.
Explanation
It was not the movie that was delicious.

5. Examples
Misplaced modifier
She returned the fruit to the market that was spoiled.
Correct
She returned the fruit that was spoiled to the market.
Explanation
It was not the market that was spoiled.

6. Dangling Modifiers
Modifying words or groups of words that open a
sentence should be followed as closely as
possible by the word that they describe.

7. Examples
Dangling modifier
While sleeping soundly, the alarm clock awakened Mary.
Correct
While sleeping soundly, Mary was awakened by the alarm
clock.
Explanation
It was not the alarm clock that was sleeping soundly.

8. Examples
Dangling modifier
Swinging from a giant tire, the tourists were delighted by the
gorilla.
Correct
Swinging from a giant tire, the gorilla delighted the tourists.
Explanation
It was not the tourists who were swinging from a giant tire.

9. Examples
Dangling modifier
Walking through the woods, ticks covered my ankles.
Correct
Walking through the woods, I discovered ticks covering my
ankles.
Explanation
It was not ticks walking through the woods.

10. 'She sells seashells on the
seashore, The shells she
sells are seashells, I'm sure,
For if she sells seashells on
the seashore, Then I'm sure
she sells sea shore shells.