Rewrite each sentence, moving the misplaced modifier to its correct position. Constructing sentences 3 if you need to brush up on the difference between a misplaced modifier and a dangling modifier, or if you need to be reminded what makes a sentence simple or complex, then this resource is for you. Determine whether the sentences below contain misplaced or dangling modifiers. Having finished the assignment, jill turned on the tv. Nguyen returned her perfect calculus test with an eartoear grin. The best misplaced and dangling modifiers of all time misplaced and dangling modifiers. Dangling and misplaced modifiers click within the small circle to the left of your choice for each answer. Exercises on modifiers with explanation learn english. Misplaced and dangling modifiers exercise 1 answer key. Because of this separation, the meaning of the sentence is often awkward, ridiculous, illogical, or confusing. Nov 21, 2010 what are misplaced and dangling modifiers. In each case, see if you can explain both the intended meaning and the unintended meaning. Refer to discovery, 324327, for additional practice. Use your mouse to choose the most logical sentence with no misplaced or dangling modifier.
Sometimes to correct a misplaced or dangling modifier and clarify the meaning, the. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that does not logically modify any word in the sentence in which it appears. Many of the modifiers in the following examples are misplaced, distorting the writers intended meaning of the sentences. Choose the option that has no misplaced or dangling modifier. English grammar exercise dangling modifiers 1 identifying. How to fix dangling and misplaced modifiers with examples. A dangling modifier is an introductory word groupparticiple, gerund, infinitive, or elliptical. Misplaced modifiers are words or phrases that do not clearly point to the word or phrase they modify, in this way obscuring meaning. If you are unsure which choice to make, consult the rules.
In a clear, logical sentence, you will find most modifiers right next to the words they describe. Revise the following sentences to correct misplaced or dangling modifiers. The best misplaced and dangling modifiers of all time. This was originally created for 7th grade language arts class.
Misplaced modifiers may be single words, phrases, or clauses. Without modifiers, you could never say that a pretty girl took home a happy dog or that a nice boy bought a y ummy popsicle. Unlike many other students, jim didnt have any problems with his teachers. Dont use a modifier to split a unified element of a sentence. Worksheets relating to misplaced and dangling modifiers. Our mission is to provide a free, worldclass education to anyone, anywhere. Notice that sauced with lumpy gravy, a participle phrase, follows meatloaf. Recognize the following types of dangling modifiers and their corrections. 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.
Misplaced modifiers generally take one of four forms. Dangling and misplaced modifiers dangling modifiers are words or phrases that do not have a clear term to modify in a sentence. A dangling modifier fails to refer logically to any word in the sentence. Misplaced modifiers make the sentence awkward and sometimes unintentionally humorous. Grade 7 quarter 2 unit 2 dangling and misplaced modifiers. Recognize and correct the following kinds of misplacement. Having learned french in just three months, paul was as happy as he could be. Pdf learning proper grammar and usage rules for the english language can be a complex and confusing task which can often end in frustration. A javascript box will appear to tell you that your choice is correct or incorrect. From real good grammar, too by mamie webb hixon created by april turner. There are ten 10 misplaced and dangling modifier errors. I held the ticket tightly in my hand that my friend gave me. Shaken, not stirred, james bond likes his martinis. This timesaving brightstorm video gives tips on how to recognize and correct dangling, squinting and misplaced modifiers.
To keep track of your answers, print the accompanying handout. Both terms refer to modifiers that are connected to the wrong thing in a sentence. Upset with the boys constant bickering, the car veered into a ditch as the. Misplaced and dangling modifiers worksheet teachers pay. Struggling with the tight jeans, the zipper would not budge. Misplacement of adverbs can sometimes change the meaning of a sentence. A dangling modifier as a misplaced modifier eries public schools. A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence. Free practice questions for sat writing correcting dangling modifier errors. James outside three rivers stadium on the night of the raid on charges of marijuana possession. A dangling modifier is a type of misplaced modifier that modifies a word or phrase that is not clearly stated in a sentence. When a sentence opens with such a modifier, readers expect the following clause to name the actor.
Nov 12, 2011 it is a good for me to understand well on misplaced modifier and dangling modifier 8 years ago. Careful writers always seek to avoid the lack of clarity that a dangling modifier causes. Too hungry to wait for brendas return from the restroom, the bowl of egg drop soup quickly disappeared. Dangling modifiers cause the sentence to lack coherence. Misplaced and dangling modifiers exercise 1 grammar bytes. So the agent and the modifier will be placed together to avoid causing misplaced modifier. The waitress served gilbert a plate of gray meatloaf sauced with lumpy gravy. The modifier should be placed as close as possible to the word it is describing. A modifier a word or phrase that qualifies the meaning of another element in a sentence. A modifier that is incorrectly placed is called a misplaced modifier.
This activity provides 10 sentences in which requires students to either add a subject to correct the dangling modifier or move the misplaced modifier. Watch out for the words only, just, merely, nearly, and almost. Rewrite each sentence to eliminate any misplaced or dangling participles. Dangling and misplaced modifiers by mark nichol each of the following sentences includes a modifying phrase that confuses because it the statement is erroneously constructed or because the phrase is incorrectly located in the sentence. Correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers pdf documents. Dangling modifiers are also called dangling participles what is a dangling modifier. Misplaced modifiers exercises answers the following are. In the following sentences, identify and correct the misplaced and dangling modifiers. What is the difference between misplaced and dangling modifiers.
Correcting misplaced modifiers word usage worksheets. Some of the worksheets displayed are 7 misplaced and dangling modifiers, dangling modifiers, name date misplaced and dangling m e 1, dangling modifiers work 1, misplaced modifiers, exercise on misplaced and dangling modifiers with, dangling and. I used this as an assessment for my students after practicing, but this can easily be used as an additional practice. Dangling modifiers a dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that either modifies no word in the sentence or refers to the wrong word. The children attended the public school wearing uniforms. Unlike a misplaced modifier, a dangling modifier cannot be corrected by simply moving it to a different place in a sentence. This worksheet on misplaced and dangling modifiers explains both and has practice exercises. Dangling modifiers are usually introductory word groups such as verbal phrases that suggest but do not name an actor. File type pdf dangling modifiers exercises with answer dangling modifiers exercises with answer dangling modifiers syntax khan academy a modifying word or phrase dangles when it doesnt apply to the word its supposed to modify. The vehicle had a slightly flat tire and was parked on the front lawn of the starr.
This activity challenges students to identify dangling or misplaced modifiers in incorrect sentences and fix them. Misplaced modifiers, squinting modifiers, and dangling modifiers. In most cases a modifier should be near the word or phrase it modifies. Always put a modifier as close as you can to the word the modifier describes. Misplaced modifiers and dangling participles are the subject of a activity that first defines basic terms and then offers examples of correct usage. The most common modifier mistakes are dangling modifiers and misplaced modifiers. Misplaced and dangling modifiers 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. Misplaced and dangling participles, answers and tips 1. Often, they can be found at the beginning of sentences, though they can also appear at a sentences end. Supply the noun or pronoun that it should modify and place the modifier next to the word.
You will learn about all the elements that need to come together to structure an accurate sentence. Unlike a misplaced modifier, a dangling modifier cannot be corrected by simply moving it. Misplaced modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that are separated from the word they modify. The goal of this sheet is to help you learn to identify and correct dangling modifiers. Showing top 8 worksheets in the category dangling modifiers with answer key. A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that clarifies or describes another word, phrase, or clause. A misplaced modifier is too far away from the thing its supposed to modify, while a dangling modifiers intended subject is missing from the sentence altogether. The modifier should describe whoever gave the party, but no word in the sentence identifies the party giver. Misplaced modifiers exercises the vehicle was parked on the front lawn of the starr residence with a slightly flat tire. A dangling modifier is misplaced because it does not have anything to modify. Einstein explains the difference between a misplaced modifier and a dangling modifier.
Misplaced modifiers introductory project because of misplaced words, each of the sentences below has more than one possible meaning. Change the dangling construction into a complete clause. Sometimes writers use modifiers incorrectly, leading to strange and unintentionally humorous sentences. In each case, see if you can explain both the intended meaning and the. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that is not clearly and logically related to the word or words it modifies i. You can also ask students to identify the modified word or answer whether the sentence has. Misplaced modifiers exercises penn state law university. Turn the misplaced or dangling participle into a dependent clause. Some of the worksheets displayed are 7 misplaced and dangling modifiers, name date misplaced and dangling m e 1, misplaced modifiers, grammar work misplaced and dangling participles, exercise on.
Adding who threw the party corrects the problem of the dangling modifier. Dangling modifiers with answer key worksheets teacher. A misplaced modifier a modifier that is placed too far away from the word or words it modifies. A modifier is a word or group of words that explains another word or group of words in a sentence. Misplaced, dangling, and squinting modifiers overview. Unlike misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers cannot be fixed simply by moving it to a different. Pdf exercise on misplaced and dangling modifiers rakibul islam. Pdf exercise on misplaced and dangling modifiers rakibul.
A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word or clause it. The point is that the introductory participial phrase modifies the first noun it gets to in the base sentence, so running corresponds to i. Timesaving video on misplaced modifiers, squinting modifiers, and dangling 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. I held the ticket that my friend gave me tightly in my hand. When you are finished, hit the check my work button at the bottom of the page to check your answers. 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. A dangling modifier is a type of misplaced modifier.
In the blank beside each sentence, indicate whether that sentence contains a dangling modifier dm or a misplaced modifier mm. Exercise on misplaced and dangling modifiers in the following pairs, one sentence is correct. Sometimes to correct a misplaced or dangling modifier and clarify the meaning, the writer must change the words in a sentence. Grammargrounds grammar education is a free, comprehensive site with instruction, videos, quizzes, and more. Having learned spanish in just three months, the stay in mexico was a success. Armed with this information, young grammarians attack. Confusing clear mother called, for a prescription, the. Swimming out into the lake, i felt the water grow cold. In the exercise that follows, you will need to determine whether or not sentences contain misplaced or dangling modifiers. A modifier describes, clarifies, or gives more detail about a concept. The two common types of modifier errors are called misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. Misplaced modifiers, squinting modifiers, and dangling. Paragraph correction read about steven spielberg, director of indiana jones, and on a separate sheet of paper, edit the following paragraphs to eliminate misplaced and dangling modifiers. Misplaced modifiers exercises answers the following are suggested answers.