Dangling Modifiers

 _{Frustrated, all of the scientists’ data were reexamined.}_{Frustrated, all of the scientists’ data were reexamined.}

 Looking back over my shoulder, the team went into a huddle._{Looking back over my shoulder, the team went into a huddle.}

 _{Riding to the store, my front bicycle tire went flat.}_{Riding to the store, my front bicycle tire went flat.}

 _{Having finished the assignment, the television was turned on.}_{Having finished the assignment, the television was turned on.}  _{Having been thrown in the air, the dog caught the stick.}_{Having been thrown in the air, the dog caught the stick.}

 _{Smashed flat by the passing truck, Big Dog sniffed at what was}_{Smashed flat by the passing truck, Big Dog sniffed at what was}

left of the hamburger. left of the hamburger.

 _{Walking to college on a subzero morning, my left ear became}_{Walking to college on a subzero morning, my left ear became}

frozen. frozen.

 _{When destructive, researchers have learned that vandals are}_{When destructive, researchers have learned that vandals are}

more likely to be in groups. more likely to be in groups.

 _{As one of the best-known Supreme Court justices in recent}_{As one of the best-known Supreme Court justices in recent}

history, I will be examining the recurrent themes in Sandra Day history, I will be examining the recurrent themes in Sandra Day O'Connor's distinctive approach to the law.

Dangling Modifiers

Misplaced Modifiers

A word, phrase, or clause

that seems to modify the

wrong word or word

group is called a

misplaced modifier.

Place modifiers as near

as possible to the words

they are modifying.

 Exhausted, a good _{Exhausted, a good}

night’s rest was what the

hikers needed.

 A good night’s rest was _{A good night’s rest was} what the exhausted

what the exhausted hikers needed.

hikers needed.

 Before six pm a movie _{Before six pm a movie}

ticket only costs three

dollars.

 Before six pm a movie _{Before six pm a movie} ticket costs only three ticket costs only three

dollars. dollars.

Misplaced Modifiers

 Only_Only on Saturdays my brother and I watch on Saturdays my brother and I watch cartoons for an hour.

cartoons for an hour.

 On Saturdays my _{On Saturdays my}onlyonly brother and I watch brother and I watch cartoons for an hour.

cartoons for an hour.

 On Saturdays _{On Saturdays}onlyonly my brother and Imy brother and I watch cartoons for an hour.

watch cartoons for an hour.

 _{On Saturdays my brother and I}_{On Saturdays my brother and I}_only_only_watch_watch

cartoons for an hour. cartoons for an hour.

 _{On Saturdays my brother and I watch cartoons}_{On Saturdays my brother and I watch cartoons}

for

Misplaced Modifiers

 I can talk about my problems with my dad. _{I can talk about my problems with my dad.}

(You have problems with your dad and want to (You have problems with your dad and want to

tell me about them?) tell me about them?)

 You will need a crescent wrench to assemble _{You will need a crescent wrench to assemble} the bookshelf. (That’s a pretty smart wrench!) the bookshelf. (That’s a pretty smart wrench!)

 Our cat was waiting on the front porch for us to _{Our cat was waiting on the front porch for us to} come home patiently. (I always come home

come home patiently. (I always come home impatiently.)

impatiently.)

 Each player on the team will receive a trophy _{Each player on the team will receive a trophy} that wins the tournament. (Go, trophy, go!)

Misplaced Modifiers

 The bowl slipped off the table, which was full of gravy, _{The bowl slipped off the table, which was full of gravy,}

and broke.

 Kristie could not attend the farewell party for her _{Kristie could not attend the farewell party for her}

nephew who was moving to El Paso because she was

ill.

 For those of you who have children and don't know it, _{For those of you who have children and don't know it,}

we have a nursery downstairs.

 Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the _{Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the}

addition of several new members and to the

deterioration of some older ones.

 _{They bought a puppy for my sister they call Fido.}_{They bought a puppy for my sister they call Fido.}

 The patient was referred to a psychologist with several _{The patient was referred to a psychologist with several}

emotional problems.

 For sale: An antique desk suitable for a lady with thick _{For sale: An antique desk suitable for a lady with thick}

legs and large drawers.

Misplaced Modifiers

In document Mod Modifiers.ppt (Page 32-42)