Dangling modifiers are so called because they are modifiers usually adjectives that do not obviously and logically refer to a word or phrase in the sentence, or to a noun or pronoun in the form that it appears in the sentence. As you can see from the following examples, the sentences should be. A modifier describes, clarifies, or gives more detail about a concept. Our mission is to provide a free, worldclass education to anyone, anywhere. All but one of the following sentences includes a dangling modifier.
Dangling modifiers make unclear the meaning of a sentence. Having finished the assignment, jill turned on the tv. Jun 21, 2019 a dangling modifier is a word or phrase often a participle or participial phrase that doesnt actually modify the word its intended to modify. Notice that sauced with lumpy gravy, a participle phrase, follows meatloaf, its. Includes detailed terms, interactive exercises, handouts, and more. Exercises below are sentences with dangling modifiers. It is also called a dangling participle, hanging modifier, floater, floating modifier, or misrelated. Toss all the sentences into the middle of the room. It is also called a dangling participle, hanging modifier, floater, floating modifier, or misrelated participle. Recognize the following types of dangling modifiers and their corrections. Click the link below to download the free pdf worksheet.
Grammatically speaking, the dangling modifiers in the examples above. Sometimes writers use modifiers incorrectly, leading to strange and unintentionally humorous sentences. Refer to discovery, 324327, for additional practice. Rolling down the hill, my eyes widened as the truck came into view. Dangling modifiers and how to correct them purdue writing lab. A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that is not clearly and logically related to the word or words it modifies i. After reading the original study, the article remains unconvincing. A dangling modifier is a word or phrase often a participle or participial phrase that doesnt actually modify the word its intended to modify. A modifier a word or phrase that qualifies the meaning of another element in a sentence. You may also see dangling modifier questions presented with both the modifier and part, or all, of the main clause underlined, though this configuration is much less common. Other terms for dangling modifier dangling modifiers are also known as hanging modifiers, floating modifiers, or dangling participles. Dangling modifier examples and exercises plus english for. If they do not, it is very likely you have a dangling modifier.
Dangling modifiers cause the sentence to lack coherence. When you are finished, click on the check my work button at the bottom of the page to view the correct answers. Rewrite each sentence correctly and check the answers using the answer key below. The two common types of modifier errors are called misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. A sentence having a dangling modifier is confusing, as it doesnt make sense. In other words, they seem to give a better understanding of a word or sentence. Dangling modifiers exercises with answer,download dangling modifiers exercises with answer,free download dangling modifiers exercises with answer,dangling modifiers exercises with answer pdf ebooks, read dangling modifiers exercises with answer pdf.
A modifier is considered dangling when the sentence isnt clear about what is being modified. Worksheet 1 explains the concept of dangling and misplaced modifiers, including suggestions for correcting them. To keep track of your answers, print the accompanying handout. Hoping it would rain is modifying ann, since ann is the person who was hoping it would rain. This sentence reads as if the keys slipped on the wet sidewalk. Join bianca as she searches for the answers to these questions in the latest. In a clear, logical sentence, you will find most modifiers right next to the words they describe. And why does stephen want all those sprinkles, anyway. Misplaced and dangling modifiers exercise 1 grammar bytes. The modifier must follow the modified word in order to avoid misplacing. Driving up the rockstrewn mountain, the tire went flat. If you are unsure which choice to make, consult the rules. Exercises on modifiers with explanation learn english. A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that clarifies or describes another word, phrase, or clause.
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. Painting for three hours at night, the kitchen was finally finished by maggie. A misplaced modifier is in a modifier that is in the wrong place. Riding in a swiftly moving vehicle, the landscape becomes blurred. Modifiers describe, specify, or limit the meanings of other words. A dangling modifier is a modifying phrase whose implicit subject does not match the explicit subject of the clause it modifies. Dangling modifiers exercises with answer,download dangling modifiers exercises with answer,free download dangling modifiers exercises with answer,dangling modifiers exercises with answer pdf ebooks, read dangling modifiers exercises with answer pdf books,dangling. Make sure the modifier and noun go together logically. Dangling modifiers most often come at the beginning of a sentence, as in the examples above, but they can also come at the end of a sentence. The powerpoint provides several examples for mastery and later for students to identify. After identifying the dangling modifier, rewrite the sentence. Rewrite each sentence, moving the misplaced modifier to its correct position. To become a good photographer, the camera must be used carefully.
Make sure to have a writing consultant check your rewritten sentences to ensure their correctness. From who and whom to hyphens, from commas to plain language, from usage woes to grammar. Here follow several examples of dangling modifiers and how to fix them. For example, the big doesnt make sense without telling what is big which leaves big as a dangling modifier. While i was trying to type an important email, my cat kept begging me for food. In these cases, the correct answer usually rewrites the sentence to eliminate the faulty modifier entirely, so its difficult to anticipate what the correct choice will be.
The waitress served gilbert a plate of gray meatloaf sauced with lumpy gravy. Studying for her degree, there were times when she felt like giving up. Grammar can be confusing at times, test yours below. English grammar exercise dangling modifiers 2 identifying. Having run out of gas, i called my parents to come pick me up. Misplaced and dangling participles, answers and tips 1. Nguyen returned her perfect calculus test with an eartoear grin. Having learned french in just three months, paul was as happy as he could be. On his way to school, abraham found a yellow womans bag. Consider including one example of a misplaced modifier and one example of a dangling modifier for each student as well. A dangling modifier is a type of misplaced modifier. Upset with the boys constant bickering, the car veered into a ditch as the. Recognizing misplaced and dangling modifiers directions. Misplaced and dangling modifiers towson university.
Too hungry to wait for brendas return from the restroom, the bowl of egg drop soup quickly disappeared. Rewrite the following sentences to repair any dangling modifiers. Hoping it would rain, the umbrella was brought by ann. Struggling with the tight jeans, the zipper would not budge. Adding who threw the party corrects the problem of the dangling modifier.
You will learn about all the elements that need to come together to structure an accurate sentence. On his way to school, abraham found a womans yellow bag. A modifier often occurs at the beginning of a sentence. As written, this sentence makes it sound as though the umbrella was hoping it would rain.
Choose the correct sentence that does not contain a dangling modifier. Otherwise, the modifier is said to be dangling, and the sentence takes on an unintended meaning. Having misunderstood the assignment, i received a low grade on. This lesson shows the definition of a modifier and a clause, as well as the difference between a misplaced modifier and a dangling modifier. Pecks english pointers is a collection of lively articles spanning english grammar, punctuation, usage and clarity. A dangling modifier is misplaced because it does not have anything to modify. Having learned spanish in just three months, the stay in mexico was a success. In the exercise that follows, you will need to determine whether or not sentences contain misplaced or dangling modifiers. When a sentence opens with such a modifier, readers expect the following clause to name the actor. In some cases, a dangling modifier refers to a word that doesnt even appear in the sentence. 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. Misplaced modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that are separated from the word they modify. Dangling modifiers a dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that either modifies no word in the sentence or refers to the wrong word.
Constructing sentences 3 if you need to brush up on the difference between a misplaced modifier and a dangling modifier, or if you need to be reminded what makes a sentence simple or complex, then this resource is for you. Worksheet 1 explains the concept of dangling and misplaced modifiers. List of articles in category exercise 12 modifiers. A dangling modifier fails to refer logically to any word in the sentence. Pdf exercise on misplaced and dangling modifiers rakibul. Because of this separation, the meaning of the sentence is. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence, or that does not connect grammatically with what it is intended to modify. This first half of this page has dangling modifier examples and exercises. Unlike a misplaced modifier, a dangling modifier cannot be corrected by simply moving it to a different place in a sentence.
Dangling and misplaced modifiers dangling modifiers are words or phrases that do not have a clear term to modify in a sentence. The word or words a dangling modifier should modify have been omitted from the sentence. Using sarkosyl to induce nuclear runon, the transcriptionally inactive bglobin gene in mature erythrocytes was demonstrated to harbor high levels of pol ii at 5. Dangling modifiers a modifier that starts a sentence must be followed right away by the word that it describes. One sentence of each pair contains a dangling modifier. Jan 11, 2018 modifiers are words and phrases that basically modify a word or sentence. Adjectives and adverbs are the most common types of modifiers, but there are others. Having run out of gas, my parents drove over to pick me up. Dangling modifiers are usually introductory word groups such as verbal phrases that suggest but do not name an actor.
Arriving home exhausted, a beer and bed were the only things on his mind. The modifier should describe whoever gave the party, but no word in the sentence identifies the party giver. Dangling modifiers dangling modifiers are so called because they are modifiers usually adjectives that do not obviously and logically refer to a word or phrase in the sentence, or to a noun or pronoun in the form that it appears in the sentence. The following is an example of the most severe and obvious problem with a dangling modifier.
A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that does not logically modify any word in the sentence in which it appears. Determine whether the sentences below contain misplaced or dangling modifiers. Worksheets relating to misplaced and dangling modifiers. Shaken, not stirred, james bond likes his martinis. Dangling modifiers worksheet draw one line under the dangling modifier in each of the following sentences. If you need specific help for english grammar on the accuplacer, please scroll down to the second half of the page after doing the exercise. Check your answers with the interactive versionof the exercise. The salesperson sold the shirt with the blue print to the man. Slipping on the wet sidewalk, the keys fell from amaurys pocket.
To avoid a dangling modifier, the subject to be modified is. Because of this separation, the meaning of the sentence is often awkward, ridiculous, illogical, or confusing. Dangling modifier examples and exercises plus english for the. In the blank beside each sentence, indicate whether the sentence is a dangling modifier dm or a misplaced modifier mm. To make correction, put in the word that has been left out of the sentence for the modifier to modify. Written by editor and writer frances peck, these pieces take a thorough yet entertaining look at some of the most common errors, weaknesses and uncertainties that plague writers of english. Dangling modifiers are often found at the beginnings of sentences as is. Check your answers with the interactive version of the exercise. 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. Label whether the sentence is a misplaced modifier m, a dangling modifier d or correct. Sometimes to correct a misplaced or dangling modifier and clarify the meaning, the. Hoping to garner favor, my parents were sadly unimpressed with the gift. Running consistently every day, the workouts steadily became easier. Use your mouse to choose the most logical sentence with no misplaced or dangling modifier.
Sitting in the dentists chair, the sound ofthe drill made larry sweat. English grammar exercise dangling modifiers 1 identifying. A misplaced modifier does not link clearly to what it is meant to modify. Exercise 3 fixing misplaced and dangling modifiers.
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