Misplaced Modifiers 9 SAT Grammar What is a

Misplaced Modifiers 9 SAT Grammar

What is a Modifier? It is a word or phrase that qualifies (modifies) a word, phrase or clause. Types: • adjectives (modify nouns and pronouns) • adverbs (modify verbs) • modifier phrases (modify an action or an actor)

What is a Misplaced Modifier? • It is a word or word group whose placement suggests that it modifies one word or phrase when it is intended to modify another. It is improperly separated from the word it modifies / describes.

Example: • On her way home, Carmie found a gold man’s watch. Misplace d Modifier

Correct: • On her way home, Carmie found a man’s gold watch.

Several Kinds of Misplaced Modifiers

Misplaced Adjectives are incorrectly separated from the nouns they modify and almost always distort the intended meaning.

Example: Incorrect: Correct the error by placing the adjective next to the noun it modifies. Corrected:

Placement of Adverbs • can also change meaning in sentences and also creates a sentence whose meaning is highly unlikely or completely ridiculous.

Example: Incorrect: To repair the meaning, move the adverb slowly so that it is near ate. Correct:

Example: Incorrect: Correct:

Misplaced Phrases

Misplaced Phrases • may cause a sentence to sound awkward and may create a meaning that does not make sense.

Example: Incorrect: Put the phrases next to the noun they are supposed to modify. Corrected:

Example: Incorrect: Corrected:

Misplaced Clauses

Misplaced Clauses • may cause a sentence to sound awkward and may create a meaning that does not make sense.

Example: Incorrect: To fix the errors and clarify the meaning, put the clauses next to the noun they are supposed to modify. Corrected:

Placing Modifiers Correctly • Once you have identified a modifier, you need to identify the person, place or thing that it is modifying. Modifiers usually have to accompany the thing they are modifying or go as close to it as possible, or should be placed next to the word itdescribes.

Let’s take a TEST!

Rewrite each sentence, moving the misplaced modifier in bold to its correct position. 1. ) She served sandwiches to the children on paperplates. 2. ) The young girl was walking with the dog in a short skirt.

3. ) At the carnival, clowns were handing out toys to children in colorful paper bags. 4. ) Tommywith the red stripes is wearing a shirt. 5. ) Swinging wildly through the trees, the children were delighted by the monkeys.

ANSWERS: 1. ) She served sandwiches on paper plates to the children. 2. ) The young girl in a short skirt was walking with the dog.

3. ) At the carnival, clowns were handing out toys in colorful paper bags to children. 4. ) Tommyis wearing a shirt with the red stripes. 5. ) The children were delighted by the monkeys, swinging wildly through the trees.

Please answer the questions on page 109 - 110 Grammar Exercise Workbook Stay safe!