Misplaced Modifiers Parallel Structure Modifiers A modifier is

Misplaced Modifiers Parallel Structure

Modifiers • A modifier is simply a word, phrase, or clause that adds description in a sentence. • Modifiers need to be placed CLOSE to the word they describe. • Dangling modifier- Introductory clause that describes the subject, but the subject is not named after comma

Misplaced Modifier Examples , • INCORRECT- An elementary school teacher from Arkansas increased funding and support for public libraries were what Bessie Boehm Moore advocated for. , • An elementary school teacher from Arkansas Bessie Boehm Moore advocated for increased funding and support for libraries.

Watch out for Possessives! , • Incorrect- An elementary school teacher from Arkansas Bessie Boehm Moore’s goal was to achieve increased funding and support for libraries. , • An elementary school teacher from Arkansas Bessie Boehm Moore had the goal of achieving increased funding and support for public libraries.

Another Example , • Incorrect- Born in a small town in Missouri the majority of singer and actress Josephine Baker’s career was spent performing throughout Europe. , • Born in a small town in Missouri singer and actress Josephine Baker spent the majority of her career performing throughout Europe.

Third Example , • Incorrect- Stretching from one end of the city to the other the efficiency of Frankfurt’s train system often surprises both tourists and city residents. , • Stretching from one end of the city to the other Frankfurt’s train system often surprises both tourists and city residents with its efficiency.

Misplaced Modifiers • I saw the dead dog driving down the highway. • He wore a straw hat on his head, which was obviously too small. • She carefully studied the Picasso hanging in the art gallery with her friend. • He held the umbrella over Janet’s head that he got from Delta Airlines.

ACT Example • Claude Mc. Kay was one of the most important poets of the Harlem Renaissance that moved to New York after studying agronomy in Kansas. • Modifiers need to be CLOSE to the word(s) they modify! • The Harlem Renaissance moved to New York?

Corrected Versions • One of the most important poets of the Harlem Renaissance, Claude Mc. Kay moved to New York after studying agronomy in Kansas. • Claude Mc. Kay, one of the most important poets of the Harlem Renaissance, moved to New York after studying agronomy in Kansas. • Claude Mc. Kay was one of the most important poets of the Harlem Renaissance; he moved to New York City after studying agronomy in Kansas.

ACT STYLE • Pigeons have long played an important role as messengers due to their homing ability, speed, and altitude. During the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, the French military used pigeons to transport , messengers to Paris a time when the city was surrounded by Prussian troops • What is wrong with this sentence? • Look at what comes after the COMMA before Paris

Answer • Pigeons have long played an important role as messengers due to their homing ability, speed, and altitude. Pigeons were used to transport messages to Paris during the Franco-Prussian War in 1871 a time when the city was surrounded by Prussian troops. ,

ACT Style • One of the most important African American poets in the 1920 s was Claude Mc. Kay, who moved to New York City after studying agronomy in Kansas. • The underlined phrase could be placed in all of the following EXCEPT • A- The beginning of the sentence (capitalize “In” and comma after 1920 s) • B- After the word “who” • C- After the word “important’ • D- After the words “New York City”

Parallel Structure • When introducing a list of three or more items, each item should be introduced in the same format. • Noun, noun • Adjective, adjective • Verb, verb • Infinitive, infinitive • Gerund, gerund • Preposition, preposition

Parallel Structure • He wanted three things out of college: to learn a skill, to make good friends, and to learn about life. • He wanted three things out of college: to learn a skill, to make good friends, and learning about life.

Example 2 • Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and a wise friend. • Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and friend.

Example 3 • There's nothing I like better than finding a good trout stream, setting up camp, and spending a couple of days fishing. • There's nothing I like better than finding a good trout stream, setting up camp, and to spend a couple of days fishing.

Example 4 • Denzel’s GPA is higher than Marcus’.

ACT Example • Changes in the wind circulation patterns, runoff from sewage, and they accumulate chemical fertilizers can lead to the creation of ocean waters low in oxygen and inhospitable to marine life. • A. No change • B. accumulating • C- to accumulate • D- accumulation of

ACT Example • Because they have a highly developed sense of vision, most lizards communicate by using clear body language, to change their colors, and displaying their athletic abilities. • A. No change • B. they change • C. will change • D. changing

“And” or “or” before last item • Changes in wind circulation patterns, runoff from sewage, the use of chemical fertilizers can lead to the creation of ocean waters low in oxygen and inhospitable to marine life. • AND THE USE OF