Putting Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

1. Putting Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers In Their Place

2. Standard: • ELA8C1.cRevises sentences by correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers.

3. EQ • What is a dangling or misplaced modifier? • How do I correct dangling and misplaced modifiers?

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Misplaced Modifiers • Misplaced modifier: Christie almost sneezed fifteen times last evening. • Corrected version: Christie sneezed almost fifteen times last evening.

9. Dangling Modifiers • A modifier that does not logically modify a word or group of words in the sentence.

10. Dangling Modifiers Dangling modifier: Searching the internet for information about American Indian Customs, an article about the Shawnee leader Tenskwatawa captured my interest. • Corrected version: Searching the internet for information about American Indian Customs, I found an interesting article about the Shawnee leader Tenskwatawa. .

11. 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.

12. Dangling Modifiers • Dangling modifier: Sitting in the dentist’s chair, the sound of the drill made Larry sweat. • Corrected version: As Larry was sitting in the dentist’s chair, the sound of the drill made him sweat.

13. Dangling Modifiers • Dangling modifier: Sitting in the dentist’s chair, the sound of the drill made Larry sweat. • Corrected version: Sitting in the dentist’s chair, Larry sweated at the sound of the drill.

14. 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.

15. Now for some practice… Take out a sheet of paper! Name Date Block Dangling Modifiers Practice.

16. Dangling ModifiersJanuary 27, 2011 Determine if the following sentences are dangling or misplaced. Then write them correctly.

17. 1. Dangling- Then write the sentence

18. 1 • Upon entering the doctor's office, a skeleton caught my attention

19. 2 • She claimed yesterday she saw a UFO.

20. 3 • "The other day, I shot an elephant in my pajamas.

21. 4 • The assembly line workers were told they had been fired by the personnel director.

22. 5 • . Before engaging in strenuous aerobic exercise, warm-up activities are necessary

23. 6 • On entering the room, punch was being served.

24. 7 • After dropping her tennis racket, Jessica’s elbow was injured.