TO CORRECT A MISPLACED MODIFIER, MOVE THE MODIFIER … · to correct a misplaced modifier, move the...

TO CORRECT A MISPLACED MODIFIER, MOVE THE MODIFIER CLOSER TO THE WORD OR WORDS IT MODIFIES.

MISPLACED MODIFIER: WE HEARD THE RADIO PLAYING WHILE DRIVING HOME.

CORRECTION: WHILE DRIVING HOME, WE HEARD THE RADIO PLAYING.

“

”

A PARTICIPLE CAN BE A VERB THAT ACTS LIKE AN ADJECTIVE TO MODIFY THE

NOUN THAT FOLLOWS IT.PARTICIPLES CAN BE IN THE PRESENT TENSE OR THE PAST TENSE, AND THE

PRESENT PARTICIPLE ALWAYS ENDS WITH "ING."

FOR EXAMPLE, "DREAM" IS A VERB, AND "DREAMING" IS ITS PRESENT PARTICIPLE.

"SPEED" IS A VERB, AND "SPEEDING" IS ITS PRESENT PARTICIPLE.

ESTIMATING CAREFULLY, THE SCHOOL LOAN WAS PAID OFF ACCURATELY.“ESTIMATING CAREFULLY” IS A PARTICIPIAL PHRASE. THE FIRST QUESTION WE

MUST ASK IS WHO DID THE ESTIMATING IN THIS SENTENCE?

ESTIMATING CAREFULLY, THE STUDENT ACCURATELY PAID OFF THE SCHOOL LOAN.DANGLING PARTICIPIAL PHRASES CAN BE ELIMINATED BY ADDING MISSING WORDS AND

MAKING OTHER NEEDED CHANGES, LIKE INSERTING A PROPER SUBJECT.

TO GET ON THE PLANE, THE TICKET MUST BE CHECKED.WHO IS GETTING ON THE PLANE?

TO GET ON THE PLANE, THE TRAVELERS MUST PRESENT THEIR TICKETS.IDENTIFY THE SUBJECT OF THE SENTENCE. MAKE SURE EACH SUBJECT IS

CLEARLY STATED. CHANGE THE FORM OF THE VERB IF NECESSARY.

WHILE FLOATING DOWN THE CANAL, HOUSES, BOATS, AND OTHER BUILDINGS WERE SIGHTED.WHO WAS FLOATING DOWN THE CANAL?

WHILE FLOATING DOWN THE CANAL, WE SAW HOUSES, BOATS, AND OTHER BUILDINGS.IDENTIFY THE SUBJECT OF THE SENTENCE. MAKE SURE EACH SUBJECT IS

CLEARLY STATED. CHANGE THE FORM OF THE VERB IF NECESSARY.

WHEN SHE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL, AIMEE’S MOTHER PLANNED A PICNIC IN THE PARK.WHO GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL, AIMEE OR HER MOTHER?

WHEN AIMEE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL, HER MOTHER PLANNED A PICNIC IN THE PARK.TO CORRECT THIS SENTENCE, YOU MUST ADD AN ACTOR (AIMEE) AND A

PRONOUN (HER).

CORRECT THE MISPLACED MODIFIERS.

•1. THE PECAN TREE WAS HIT BY LIGHTNING WITH THE FORKED TRUNK.

•2. THE COAT IS IN THE HALL CLOSET THAT YOU NEED.

•3. CAROLYN CALLED HER PARENTS ELATED BY THE GOOD NEWS.

•4. GLORIA PURCHASED A NECKLACE IN AUSTIN WITH A GOLD CLASP.

•5. EMILIO WANTS A HAMBURGER AND COFFEE COOKED MEDIUM WELL.

CORRECT THE MISPLACED MODIFIERS.

•1. THE PECAN TREE WAS HIT BY LIGHTNING WITH THE FORKED TRUNK.

•2. THE COAT IS IN THE HALL CLOSET THAT YOU NEED.

•3. CAROLYN CALLED HER PARENTS ELATED BY THE GOOD NEWS.

•4. GLORIA PURCHASED A NECKLACE IN AUSTIN WITH A GOLD CLASP.

•5. EMILIO WANTS A HAMBURGER AND COFFEE COOKED MEDIUM WELL.

CORRECT THE “DANGLING” MODIFIERS.

•1. TURNING THE CORNER, A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET COULD BE SEEN.

•2. CLOSING HER CAR DOOR, HER KEYS WERE STILL IN THE IGNITION.

•3. WHEN HE TURNED FOUR, HIS BROTHER WAS BORN.

•4. WHILE EATING BREAKFAST, THE PHONE RANG.

•5. WORKING TOO FAST, AN ERROR WAS MADE.