Putting Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers In Their Place

Putting Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers In Their Place

Standard: • ELA 8 C 1. c Revises sentences by correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers.

EQ • What is a dangling or misplaced modifier? • How do I correct dangling and misplaced modifiers?

Misplaced Modifiers • A misplaced modifier is a modifier that is incorrectly separated from the word or words that it describes. • Misplaced modifiers seem to describe words that the author did not intend them to describe. • When modifiers are misplaced, the reader may misunderstand the sentence. • Generally, the solution is to place the modifier as close as possible to the word or words it describes.

Misplaced Modifiers • Misplaced modifier: Sam bought a used car from a local dealer with a smoky tailpipe. • Corrected version: Sam bought a used car with a smoky tailpipe from a local dealer.

Misplaced Modifiers • Misplaced modifier: The robin built a nest at the back of our house of grass and string. • Corrected version: The robin built a nest of grass and string at the back of our house.

Misplaced Modifiers • Misplaced modifier: Christie almost sneezed fifteen times last evening. • Corrected version: Christie sneezed almost fifteen times last evening.

Dangling Modifiers • A modifier that does not logically modify a word or group of words in the sentence.

Dangling Modifiers • Dangling modifier: Searching the internet for information about American Indian Customs, an article about the Shawnee leader Tenskwatawa captured my interest. • Corrected version: Searching the internet for information about American Indian Customs, I found an interesting article about the Shawnee leader Tenskwatawa. .

Dangling Modifiers • A modifier that starts a sentence must be followed right away by the word that it describes. Otherwise, the modifier is said to be dangling, and the sentence takes on an unintended meaning.

Dangling Modifiers • Dangling modifier: Sitting in the dentist’s chair, the sound of the drill made Larry sweat. • Corrected version: As Larry was sitting in the dentist’s chair, the sound of the drill made him sweat.

Dangling Modifiers • Dangling modifier: Sitting in the dentist’s chair, the sound of the drill made Larry sweat. • Corrected version: Sitting in the dentist’s chair, Larry sweated at the sound of the drill.

Dangling Modifiers • Dangling modifier: Soaring through the sky, Brenda watched the highpowered jet. • Corrected version: Brenda watched the high-powered jet soaring through the sky.

Now for some practice… Take out a sheet of paper! Name Date Block Dangling Modifiers Practice.

Dangling Modifiers January 27, 2011 Determine if the following sentences are dangling or misplaced. Then write them correctly.

l 1. Dangling- Then write the sentence

1 l Upon entering the doctor's office, a skeleton caught my attention

2 l She claimed yesterday she saw a UFO.

3 l "The other day, I shot an elephant in my pajamas.

4 l The assembly line workers were told they had been fired by the personnel director.

5 l. Before engaging in strenuous aerobic exercise, warm-up activities are necessary

6 l On entering the room, punch was being served.

7 l After dropping her tennis racket, Jessica’s elbow was injured.