Putting Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

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Putting Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
In
Their
Place
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(No Transcript)
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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.

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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.
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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.
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Misplaced Modifiers

• Misplaced modifier

Christie almost sneezed fifteen times last
evening.

• Corrected version

Christie sneezed almost fifteen times last
evening.
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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.

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Dangling Modifiers

• Dangling modifier

Sitting in the dentists chair, the sound of the
drill made Larry sweat.

• Corrected version

As Larry was sitting in the dentists chair, the
sound of the drill made him sweat.
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Dangling Modifiers

• Dangling modifier

Sitting in the dentists chair, the sound of the
drill made Larry sweat.

• Corrected version

Sitting in the dentists chair, Larry sweated at
the sound of the drill.
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Dangling Modifiers

• Dangling modifier

Soaring through the sky, Brenda watched the
high- powered jet.

• Corrected version

Brenda watched the high-powered jet soaring
through the sky.
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Now for some practice
Go to the following website for some interactive
exercises

• www.webster.commnet.edu/grammar/quiz_list.htm

Scroll down to the heading Structural Flaws and
do the exercises called Modifier Placement and
Modifier Placement II.