Correcting dangling modifiers pdf

A modifier a word or phrase that qualifies the meaning of another element in a sentence. Rewrite the following paragraph, correcting all misplaced or dangling modifiers. Dangling modifiers a dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that either modifies no word in the sentence or refers to the wrong word. In a clear, logical sentence, you will find most modifiers right next to the words they describe. The answers to these practice examples are located at the rolvaag writing desk. How do we correct a misplaced or dangling participle. This resource includes a pdf file for easy printing and an editable powerpoint version so that you can fit the test to meet the. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that is not clearly and logically related to the word or words it modifies i. Misplaced and dangling modifiers towson university.

Often, they can be found at the beginning of sentences, though they can also appear at a sentences end. The two common types of modifier errors are called misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. Here follow several examples of dangling modifiers and how to fix them. Turn the misplaced or dangling participle into a dependent clause. There are many ways of correcting a dangling modifier or participle. To pass the quiz, youll need to know what a dangling modifier is and know how to fix a sentence. Make sure the modifier is as close as possible to the word being modified. Whether a word or a whole phrase, a dangling modifier can confuse meaning and complicate writing.

A modifier describes, clarifies, or gives more detail about a concept. This assessment includes 7 sections and tests students knowledge of modifiers, misplaced modifiers, and dangling modifiers. This was a presentation i made for my technical writing class at university. Usually the correction requires adding a word or phrase or rewording the sentence. A misplaced modifier is in a modifier that is in the wrong place.

Read pdf correcting dangling modifiers answers correcting dangling modifiers answers dangling modifiers syntax khan academy a modifying word or phrase dangles when it doesnt apply to the word its supposed to modify. Sitting in the dentists chair, the sound ofthe drill made larry sweat. Middle schoolers identify modifiers in sentences and label them as either dangling or misplaced. Misplaced, dangling, and squinting modifiers overview. Worksheets relating to misplaced and dangling modifiers.

An introduction to dangling modifiers and some examples of how to correct them. Our mission is to provide a free, worldclass education to anyone, anywhere. A dangling modifier is a word or phrase within a sentence that does not clearly refer to a specific subject. Recognize the following types of dangling modifiers and their corrections. But the somebody or we is not found in the sentence. A dangling modifier is a word or phrase often a participle or participial phrase that doesnt actually modify the word its intended to modify. 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. Hoping it would rain, the umbrella was brought by ann. Unlike misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers cannot be fixed simply by moving it to a different place in the sentence. Dangling modifiers may be corrected in two general ways. One sentence of each pair contains a dangling modifier. To use the choices worksheet, have each student pick an activity that interests him.

Unbeaten, the wildcats claimed the regular season championship. Unlike a misplaced modifier, a dangling modifier cannot be corrected by simply moving it to a different place in a sentence. Given the infinite combinations and permutations available in the english language, we have several ways of correcting a misplaced or dangling participle. A dangling modifier is an introductory word groupparticiple, gerund, infinitive, or elliptical clausethat does not refer logically to the noun or pronoun that follows it. Either the sentence or the dangling modifier must be changed by adding needed. Correcting a dangling modifier often requires more than just moving words around. In some cases, a dangling modifier refers to a word that doesnt even appear in the sentence. The waitress served gilbert a plate of gray meatloaf sauced with lumpy gravy. Dangling modifiers a dangling modifier is a modifier that lacks a word or group of words to modify. A dangling modifier is a descriptive phrase that is missing its subject. Writing desk hours mondaythursday 125pm, 710pm friday. In the exercise that follows, you will need to determine whether or not sentences contain misplaced or dangling modifiers.

I worked hard all afternoon in the kitchen, and the cake i baked tasted terrible. Modifiers are words or phrases that describe something or someone. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Going on his way to collect the ransom, it isnt clear what the kidnapper will find. Choose the correct sentence that does not contain a dangling modifier. A dangling modifier is a phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence and can end up distorting or confusing the meaning of a sentence. This means that you take the ing word the participle, give it a subject, turn it into a verb, and attach it. In fact, they surface from time to time in newspapers, magazines, and academic journals. As written, this sentence makes it sound as though the umbrella was hoping it would rain. The farmer bought a bull at the auction with large horns.

Stepping into the boat, my camera dropped into the water. Pestering and threatening everyone, who wouldnt want a vacation from the boy. Refer to discovery, 324327, for additional practice. Having finished the assignment, jill turned on the tv. This short quiz will test your understanding of dangling modifiers. A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that clarifies or describes another word, phrase, or clause. Writers should be wary of these and rewrite sentences to avoid them. This resource explains what a dangling modifier is and how to correct the problem.

Dangling and misplaced modifiers dangling modifiers are words or phrases that do not have a clear term to modify in a sentence. Dangling modifiers usually occur at the beginning of sentences. In the blank beside each sentence, indicate whether that sentence contains a dangling modifier dm or a. Misplaced modifiers are words or phrases that do not clearly point to the word or phrase they. However, they can be found at the end of sentences as well. A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence. Arriving at the restaurant, a good dinner was decided. The modifier should be placed as close as possible to the word it is describing. Riding in a swiftly moving vehicle, the landscape becomes blurred. Otherwise, the modifier is said to be dangling, and the sentence takes on an unintended meaning. The issue with these is that the reader could misinterpret the sentence. This correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers pdf documents worksheet is suitable for 7th grade.

Modifiers can add interest to sentences and be an important tool for writing engaging content. Correcting dangling and misplaced modifiers overview. Correcting dangling modifiers word usage worksheet. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Because of this separation, the meaning of the sentence is. The term dangling modifier refers to a word or phrase, usually at the start of a sentence, that does not connect properly to the rest of the sentence.

To become a good photographer, the camera must be used carefully. Correcting dangling modifier errors replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise. Because of their dangling modifiers, these sentences wrongly imply that the hill rollerbladed frantically, that p. It is also called a dangling participle, hanging modifier, floater, floating modifier, or misrelated participle. Misplaced modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that are separated from the word they modify. 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. In one story, rip van winkle slept through the whole american revolution that irving wrote. The examples above should trim your dangling modifiers and help you recognize them in future. Dangling modifiers dont usually lead to ambiguity because the missing term is nearly always implicit or even mentioned, either in a recent sentence or in the form of possessive determiner. Dangling modifiers cause the sentence to lack coherence.

Modifiers, or descriptive words or phrases, can add a great deal of interest to a sentence. Fixing dangling modifiers what is a dangling modifier. Its compatible with 7th grade common core standards for language, although you may use it for other grades as appropriate. I posted this on my personal facebook as well, but i just couldnt pass up the opportunity to upload it here as well. C hange the main part of the sentence so that it begins with the term actually modified.

This change will put the modifier next to the term it modifies. Driving up the rockstrewn mountain, the tire went flat. In this worksheet your student will rewrite sentences with this dangerous danglers. Change the dangling construction into a complete clause. When we dont place grammatical modifiers right next to what we want them to modify, we might be causing confusion for our readers. Its somebody, for example, we, who arrived at the restaurant. A modifier is a word or group of words that explains another word or group of words in a sentence. Hoping it would rain is modifying ann, since ann is the person who was hoping it would rain.

This confusion is the basis of a dangling modifier. Recognize and correct the following kinds of misplacement. Dangling modifiers a modifier that starts a sentence must be followed right away by the word that it describes. Sometimes writers use modifiers incorrectly, leading to strange and unintentionally humorous sentences. Misplacement of adverbs can sometimes change the meaning of a sentence. It may help you to think of modifying as limiting or changing what is described. Hoping to garner favor, my parents were sadly unimpressed with the gift. Washington irvings stories often contain elements of fantasy. Watch out for the words only, just, merely, nearly, and almost. Label whether the sentence is a misplaced modifier m, a dangling modifier d or correct. Arriving at the restaurant is a participial phrase acting as a modifier. The majority of dangling modifiers are verb phrases that are not attached to the intended subject, if any. In each case, the writer communicates an unintended meaning by using a dangling modifier.