Mod Modifiers.ppt

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Mod Modifiers

One word modifiers, phrases and clauses One word modifiers, phrases and clauses as modifiers, eight troublesome modifiers, as modifiers, eight troublesome modifiers, modifiers to compare, dangling modifiers, modifiers to compare, dangling modifiers,

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One Word Modifiers

 What’s a modifier _{What’s a modifier}

anyway? Well,

anyway? Well, it’s a it’s a

word or word group that

makes the meaning of

another word or word

group more specific

group more specific. . Modifiers modify or tell

Modifiers modify or tell

you more about

something else in the

sentence.

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One Word Modifiers

 There are 2 kinds of _{There are 2 kinds of} modifiers:

modifiers:

 adjectives (tell you _{adjectives (tell you}

more about nouns

and pronouns)

 adverbs (tell you _{adverbs (tell you}

more about verbs,

adjectives, and other

adverbs)

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One Word

Modifiers

Examples:



_Only

_{he answered the letter.}



_Isn’t

_his

_dog

_well-behaved

_?



_{Etta has}

_{a mischievous}

_smile.



_{Etta smiled}

_{mischievously}

_.



_{The tree is}

_quite

_healthy.

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One Word Modifiers:

Rules and Pointers

If the word in the predicate modifies the

subject, use the adjective form. If it

modifies the verb, use the adverb form.



_{Adj.: The cantor’s voice was beautiful.}



_{Adv.: The cantor sang beautifully.}



_{Adj.: The corn grew tall.}

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One Word Modifiers:

Rules and Pointers

Many adverbs end in –ly. HOWEVER, not all do

and many other words end in –ly.

Call soon

Call soon Remain hereRemain here Not concernedNot concerned Let loose

Let loose Arrive homeArrive home Very tallVery tall

Elderly woman

Elderly woman Holy placeHoly place Curly hairCurly hair Silly remark

Silly remark Only timeOnly time Timely remarkTimely remark

Adverbs:

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One Word Modifiers:

Rules and Pointers



Some words can be both adverbs and

_{Some words can be both adverbs and}

adjectives.

Adjectives:

She is an only child.

That fighter is a fast plane.

He caught the last boat.

Adverbs:

She has only one brother.

The plane goes fast.

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Phrases and Clauses as

Modifiers

 Like one word _{Like one word}

modifiers, phrases modifiers, phrases

and clauses can also and clauses can also

be used as be used as

adjectives and adjectives and

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Phrases and Clauses as

Modifiers

Phrases: Phrases:

 It is time _{It is time}for departurefor departure..

 Bringing tears to our eyes_{Bringing tears to our eyes}, the comedian told , the comedian told us some of her best jokes.

us some of her best jokes.

 Dr. Death is the one _{Dr. Death is the one}to ask nextto ask next..

 Tina is becoming fluent _{Tina is becoming fluent}in Italianin Italian..

 Speak _Speakwith clarity in debatewith clarity in debate..

 The truck driver swerved just quickly enough _{The truck driver swerved just quickly enough}to to avoid a collision.

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Phrases and Clauses as

Modifiers

Clauses: Clauses:

 Raphael is the painter _{Raphael is the painter}whom I like bestwhom I like best..

 Before my great-grandmother left Russia_{Before my great-grandmother left Russia}, , she sat in her kitchen one last time.

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Eight Troublesome

Modifiers

 Bad and badly_{Bad and badly}

 Good and well_{Good and well}

 Slow and slowly_{Slow and slowly}

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Bad and Badly

Bad is an adjective. Badly is (usually) an adverb. Bad is an adjective. Badly is (usually) an adverb.

 Fido was bad._{Fido was bad.}

 Fido behaved badly._{Fido behaved badly.}

 _{The cheese smelled bad.}_{The cheese smelled bad.}

 She feels bad about the mistake._{She feels bad about the mistake.}

 (informal) She feels badly about the mistake._{(informal) She feels badly about the mistake.}

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Good and Well

Good is an adjective. It should

NOT be used to modify a

verb.

 She sings well._{She sings well.}

 Her singing sounds good._{Her singing sounds good.}

 Non standard: She sings _{Non standard: She sings} good.

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Good and Well

Well is an adjective and

an adverb.

 Well as an adjective _{Well as an adjective} means: in good health means: in good health or satisfactory.

or satisfactory.

 Trish is well._{Trish is well.}

 All is well._{All is well.}

 Well as an adverb _{Well as an adverb} means: capably. means: capably.

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Slow and Slowly

Informally, slow is both an adjective and an

adverb.

Slowly is always an adverb. Formally, use

slowly rather than slow.



_{We took a slow boat to China.}



_{Please go slow.}

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Real and Really

Real is an adjective meaning: actual or

genuine.

Really is an adverb meaning: actually or

truly.



_{Tom is a real mountain climber.}

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Real and Really

*In everyday situations real is commonly

used as an adverb meaning “very,” avoid

this use in formal speaking and writing.

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Modifiers to compare

Positive Comparative Superlative

Low Lower Lowest

Fearful More fearful Most fearful

Good Better Best

Promptly More promptly Most promptly

Badly Worse Worst

Thin Thinner Thinnest Lovely Lovelier Loveliest Rapid More rapid Most rapid

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Modifiers to compare

 Most one-syllable modifiers form the comparative by adding _{Most one-syllable modifiers form the comparative by adding}

–er and the superlative by adding –est.

 Two syllable modifiers may follow the above rule, or they _{Two syllable modifiers may follow the above rule, or they}

may form the comparative by adding “more” and the

superlative by adding “most.”

 Modifiers with three or more syllables add “more” to form _{Modifiers with three or more syllables add “more” to form}

the comparative and “most” to form the superlative.

 To show a decrease is the qualities they express, modifiers _{To show a decrease is the qualities they express, modifiers}

form the comparative using “less” and the superlative using

“least”

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Modifiers to compare

Irregular comparisons Irregular comparisons

Positive Comparative Superlative

Bad Worse Worst

Badly Worse Worst

Ill Worse Worst

Good Better Best

Well Better Best

Little Less Least

Many More Most

Much More Most

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Modifiers to compare

 Use comparative when comparing 2 things._{Use comparative when comparing 2 things.}

 _{Use superlative when comparing more than 2 things.}_{Use superlative when comparing more than 2 things.}

 Include “other” or “else” when comparing one member with the _{Include “other” or “else” when comparing one member with the} rest of the group.

rest of the group.

 Rhode Island is smaller than any ________ _{Rhode Island is smaller than any ________} state in the Union.

state in the Union.

 Stan is taller than anyone _________in his _{Stan is taller than anyone _________in his} class.

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Modifiers to compare

 Avoid using double Avoid using double comparisons.

comparisons.



_{The second movie was more funnier}

than the first.

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Modifiers to compare

 Be sure your Be sure your

comparisons are comparisons are

clear. clear.

 Unclear: The climate of Arizona is drier than Unclear: The climate of Arizona is drier than South Carolina.

South Carolina.

 Clear: The climate of Arizona is drier than the Clear: The climate of Arizona is drier than the climate of South Carolina.

climate of South Carolina.

 Clear: The climate of Arizona is drier than that of Clear: The climate of Arizona is drier than that of South Carolina.

South Carolina.

 Unclear: We know her better than Dena.Unclear: We know her better than Dena.

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Dangling

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Dangling

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Dangling Modifiers



_{A modifying word, phrase, or clause that}

does not clearly and sensibly modify a

word or group of words is called a

dangling modifier. Add or replace words

to make the meaning clear and logical.



_{Note: these problems tend to result from}

the use of passive voice. Activate your

verbs!

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Dangling Modifiers

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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.

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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

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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

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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!)

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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.

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Misplaced Modifiers

A boy comes out of his house and

tells another boy, who is playing

outside, "They just said it's going to

rain on the radio."

The other boy, puzzled, asks, "If it

rains on the radio, won't that wreck

it?"

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Misplaced Modifiers

Headline: (from yahoo news)

Man Shot by Cheney Leaving Hospital

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Misplaced Modifiers

Headline:

Helicopter Powered by Human Flies

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Misplaced Modifiers

Or seriously missing modifier?

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Mistaken Modifiers



_{Ravishing vs. ravished – is there a}

difference?

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Movable adverbs:



_{Justice John Roberts:}



_{I will execute the Office of the President}

of the United States

faithfully

.



_{Constitution:}



_{I will}

_faithfully

_{execute the Office of the}

President of the United States.

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Where to put the

Modifiers?



_{Lowell Ledger}

_{(Jan. 28, 2009)}

‘Restaurateur Nurtures Passion for Food’

The customer, is now more than ever

focused on getting a value for their

money, according to West.

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Where to put the

Modifiers?

 Lowell Ledger_{Lowell Ledger} (May 12, 2010) Letter To the (May 12, 2010) Letter To the Editor

Editor

 If you remember, I wrote to you several years _{If you remember, I wrote to you several years} ago regarding the deplorable condition that I ago regarding the deplorable condition that I

was flying in over the Lowell baseball field. was flying in over the Lowell baseball field.

 If you remember, I wrote to you several years _{If you remember, I wrote to you several years} ago regarding the deplorable condition in which ago regarding the deplorable condition in which

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Misplaced Modifiers

One morning I shot an elephant in my

pajamas.

How he got into my pajamas I'll never

know.

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Fun with Modifiers

 3-year-old teacher need for pre-school. Experience _{3-year-old teacher need for pre-school. Experience} preferred.

preferred.

 Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church _{Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church} and community.

and community.

 Notice sent to residents of a Whiltshire parish: DUE TO _{Notice sent to residents of a Whiltshire parish: DUE TO} INCREASING PROBLEMS WITH LETTER LOUTS AND INCREASING PROBLEMS WITH LETTER LOUTS AND VANDALS WE MUST ASK ANYONE WITH RELATIVES VANDALS WE MUST ASK ANYONE WITH RELATIVES BURIED IN THE GRAVEYARD TO DO THEIR BEST TO BURIED IN THE GRAVEYARD TO DO THEIR BEST TO

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Fun with Modifiers

 Dinner Special -- _{Dinner Special --} Turkey $2.35;

Turkey $2.35; Chicken or Beef Chicken or Beef

$2.25; Children $2.25; Children

$2.00 $2.00

 Now is your chance _{Now is your chance} to have your ears to have your ears

pierced and get an pierced and get an

extra pair to take extra pair to take

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Fun with Modifiers

 I went to a diner that _{I went to a diner that} had a bottomless cup had a bottomless cup

of coffee. of coffee.

 What a stinking _{What a stinking} mess!

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Clarity Counts!

 not here all hour_{not here all hour}



 Heidi D. Kolp_{Heidi D. Kolp}

 English, Speech, Debate, and Shakespeare_{English, Speech, Debate, and Shakespeare}

 [email protected]@lowellschools.com

 987-2991_987-2991

 https://sites.google.com/site/kolpenglish10/https://sites.google.com/site/kolpenglish10/

 https://sites.google.com/site/lowellshakespeare/_{https://sites.google.com/site/lowellshakespeare/}

 https://sites.google.com/a/lowelleducation.com/kolp-english-11/_{https://sites.google.com/a/lowelleducation.com/kolp-english-11/}

 >>> Melanie Droski 5/16/2011 1:12 PM >>>>>> Melanie Droski 5/16/2011 1:12 PM >>>

 Checking if __________ was absent all hr (Graham and Kolp), or did she _{Checking if __________ was absent all hr (Graham and Kolp), or did she} come in late to class?

come in late to class?



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Clarity Counts!

 Sharon put the hat _{Sharon put the hat} on her head that she on her head that she

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From Your Papers:

 Saddam wanted to take Iraq into 20th century to do he would be willing to eliminating 50 percent of the population of Iraq.

 On the day of their wedding, everyone that was there. Except for the groom.

 Everyone has I think everybody doesn’t realize half the things other people are feeling like because of our actions.

 making them ectothermic or clod-blooded because they can’t conserve on one agreed body temperature

 Nike doesn’t have much room to grow but UnderArmour do’s.

 The Woman’s Rights path became with Alice Paul and Lucy Burns, who organized the Congressional Union, which later on in the future, became the (NWP) National Woman’s Party, this called public attention to the suffrage cause.

 Our today president before he was president doesn’t agree with this war.

 The world has a big effort in how we reach our goals and if we can get to the point where our dreams come true.

 Most of everyone has a dream or plans for the future. People dream _{Most of everyone has a dream or plans for the future. People dream} because they finally realize that they can’t achieve their plan, because because they finally realize that they can’t achieve their plan, because they drift so far away from their plan it becomes a hard to achieve plan it they drift so far away from their plan it becomes a hard to achieve plan it becomes a dream.

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Clarity Counts!

 _{A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not}_{A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not}

clearly stated in the sentence. A modifier describes, clarifies, or clearly stated in the sentence. A modifier describes, clarifies, or gives more detail about a concept.

gives more detail about a concept.

Having finished the assignment

Having finished the assignment, , JillJill turned on the TV. turned on the TV.

 _{"Having finished" states an action but does not name the doer of}_{"Having finished" states an action but does not name the doer of}

that action. In English sentences, the doer must be the subject of that action. In English sentences, the doer must be the subject of the main clause that follows. In this sentence, it is Jill. She seems the main clause that follows. In this sentence, it is Jill. She seems logically to be the one doing the action ("having finished"), and this logically to be the one doing the action ("having finished"), and this sentence therefore does not have a dangling modifier.

sentence therefore does not have a dangling modifier.

 _{The following sentence has an incorrect usage:}_{The following sentence has an incorrect usage:}

Having finished the assignment

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Clarity Counts!

 In the English language, we expect the actor _{In the English language, we expect the actor}

(subject) of the main clause (I clause) to be

the actor of any introductory participles.

 Wrong: Waiting for the bus to arrive, the sun _{Wrong: Waiting for the bus to arrive, the sun} came over the hill.

came over the hill.

 Fix: While I was waiting for the bus to arrive, the _{Fix: While I was waiting for the bus to arrive, the} sun came over the hill.

sun came over the hill.

 Fix: Waiting for the bus to arrive, I watched the _{Fix: Waiting for the bus to arrive, I watched the} sun come over the hill.

sun come over the hill.

 I watched the sun come over the hill while waiting _{I watched the sun come over the hill while waiting} for the bus to arrive.