The two common types of modifier errors are called misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. The majority of dangling modifiers are verb phrases that are not attached to the intended subject, if any. English grammar exercise dangling modifiers 1 identifying dangling modifiers. The point is that the introductory participial phrase modifies. Refer to discovery, 324327, for additional practice. How do we correct a misplaced or dangling participle. A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from. 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.
Grade 7 quarter 2 unit 2 dangling and misplaced modifiers. Misplaced modifiers, squinting modifiers, and dangling. Running recklessly through the forest, the tree stump tripped james. Confusing clear mary got into the police car wearing a. A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that doesnt clearly relate to the word or phrase it is intended to modify. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that is not clearly and logically related to the word or words it modifies i. Swbat learn what dangling modifier is in order to correct it in their own writing. Dangling and misplaced participles often give rise to absurdly humorous scenarios. Here is a classic example from grockit of a sentence on the act english test with a misplaced modifier. In case you didnt get it from the italics, a modifier is a word or phrase that provides more information about something being. The point is that the introductory participial phrase modifies the first noun it gets to in the base sentence, so running corresponds to i. Worksheet 5 dangling and misplaced modifiers name class date language 5 using modifiers handbook continued. Lesson plan in misplaced and dangling modifier departure. A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word or clause it.
Jan 26, 2012 misplaced modifiers, squinting modifiers, and dangling grammar by english spoken here video 2016 duration. Dangling and misplaced modifiers teaching resources. A dangling participle has no noun in the sentence to. As the above examples show, dangling modifiers result in inaccurate and. A modifier should come immediately before the word or phrase it modifies. Watched by nearly a fifth of the worlds population, american astronauts neil armstrong and edwin buzz aldrin landed on the moon on july 20, 1969. Our online dangling modifier trivia quizzes can be adapted to suit your requirements for taking some of the top dangling modifier quizzes. Because of this separation, the meaning of the sentence is often awkward, ridiculous, illogical, or confusing. Sighing with sadness, the expensive shoes were returned to the salesman. Dangling modifiers a dangling modifier is a modifier that lacks a word or group of words to modify. In this lesson plan, adaptable for grades 312, students explore brainpop features and resources to learn about misplaced modifiers, including dangling and squinting modifiers. As modifiers, participles are often misused, and are thus called dangling or misplaced modifiers. This correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers pdf documents worksheet is suitable for 7th grade. Toss all the sentences into the middle of the room.
From real good grammar, too by mamie webb hixon created by april turner. Used effectively and correctly, modifiers give the reader a clear, exact picture of what you want to say. Editing our writing for dangling modifiers betterlesson. Supply the noun or pronoun that it should modify and place the modifier next to the word. Unlike many other students, jim didnt have any problems with his teachers. Misplaced modifiers can alter the meaning of a sentence, and take away from a writers intended message. Misplaced modifiers are words or phrases that do not clearly point to the word or phrase they modify, in this way obscuring meaning.
Misplaced modifiers and dangling participles are the subject of a activity that first defines basic terms and then offers examples of correct usage. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Problems arise when readers are uncertain about what is being described because modifiers are misplaced or dangling. Revise the following sentences to correct misplaced or dangling modifiers. Without modifiers, you could never say that a pretty girl took home a happy dog or that a nice boy bought a yummy popsicle. The children attended the public school wearing uniforms. Misplaced modifiers, squinting modifiers, and dangling grammar by english spoken here video 2016 duration.
Often, they can be found at the beginning of sentences, though they can also appear at a sentences end. Aug 06, 2015 lesson plan in misplaced and dangling modifier departure by sherwood anderson 1. Misplaced and dangling modifiers towson university. Dangling modifiers worksheet draw one line under the dangling modifier in each of the following sentences. Drooling in anticipation of the treat, gizmo waited for sylvia to reward him with. For our purposes, dangling and misplaced are equivalent. Given the infinite combinations and permutations available in the english language, we have several ways of correcting a misplaced or dangling participle. Modifiers should be placed as close as possible to the word or words they describe in order to avoid confusion. Misplaced modifiers can usually be corrected by moving the modifier to a more.
What are misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. Shaken, not stirred, james bond likes his martinis. Jun 18, 2017 a misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that doesnt clearly relate to the word or phrase it is intended to modify. Worksheets relating to misplaced and dangling modifiers. The modifier should be placed as close as possible to the word it is describing. I will then show them how i go into my own writing and use the resource sheet 2 nd page to write an example of a dangling modifier and how i would revise it. Lesson plan in misplaced and dangling modifier departure by. In each case, see if you can explain both the intended meaning and the unintended meaning. Either the sentence or the dangling modifier must be changed by adding needed information or. Then, on the line provided, revise each sentence so that it is clear and correct. 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. A comprehensive database of more than 12 dangling modifier quizzes online, test your knowledge with dangling modifier quiz questions. Because of this separation, the meaning of the sentence is. Start studying misplaced and dangling modifiers, misplaced, squinting, and dangling modifiers, well and good.
Misplaced and dangling modifiers, misplaced, squinting. This lesson shows the definition of a modifier and a clause, as well as the difference between a misplaced modifier and a dangling modifier. This is a deceptively simple task, but rise to the challenge. This timesaving brightstorm video gives tips on how to recognize and correct dangling, squinting and misplaced modifiers. Learn how to find and fix misplaced and dangling modifiers. A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that clarifies or describes another word, phrase, or clause. Choose the option that has no misplaced or dangling modifier. Rewrite the following sentences to repair any dangling modifiers. Pearson offers special pricing when you package your text with other student resources. Determine whether the sentences below contain misplaced or dangling modifiers. Misplaced modifiers teacher resources lesson planet. Although misplaced or dangling modifiers are common in writing, they are incorrect and should be avoided because they cause confusion and alter the meaning of the sentence drastically. Use the reference sheet and activity to show middle schoolers how to edit confusing sentences with misplaced modifiers. Timesaving video on misplaced modifiers, squinting modifiers, and dangling modifiers.
Southernside montessori school camella homes iv, poblacion, muntinlupa city learning plan grade nine english quarter. Dangling modifiers cause the sentence to lack coherence. The issue with these is that the reader could misinterpret the sentence. Driving like a maniac, the deer was hit and killed by the teenager. A dangling participle has no noun in the sentence to which the participle would logically attach.
Advanced choose whether each of the following sentences is correct, or whether it has a dangling modifier. The modifier should describe whoever gave the party, but no word in the sentence identifies the party giver. Slipping on the wet sidewalk, the keys fell from amaurys pocket. Find misplaced modifiers lesson plans and worksheets. The powerpoint provides several examples for mastery and later for students to identify. The most common type of misplaced modifier question on the act english test involves a modifying phrase. Dangling modifiers are usually introductory word groups such as verbal phrases that suggest but do not name an actor. Recognize the following types of dangling modifiers and their corrections. When a sentence opens with such a modifier, readers expect the following clause to name the actor. I will show students the below video, after the first example, i will have the students turn and talk about how they would revise the sentence. Having learned french in just three months, paul was as happy as he could be. Confusing clear mary got into the police car wearing a wrinkled skirt. In the blank beside each sentence, indicate whether that sentence contains a dangling modifier dm or a misplaced modifier mm. Correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers pdf documents.
Modifiers are words or phrases that add detail to the sentence. A dangling modifier fails to refer logically to any word in the sentence. Check your answers with the interactive version of the exercise. Lesson plan in misplaced and dangling modifier departure by sherwood anderson 1. Unlike many other students, the financial aid office did not approve his application. 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. Nov 12, 2011 it is a good for me to understand well on misplaced modifier and dangling modifier 8 years ago. The best misplaced and dangling modifiers of all time misplaced and dangling modifiers dangling modifiers. 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. Misplaced, dangling, and squinting modifiers overview. Saved for a rainy day, the sugar bowl was full of quarters. A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence. Mark lester and larry beason point out that misplaced.
Always put a modifier as close as you can to the word the modifier describes. Nguyen returned her perfect calculus test with an eartoear grin. A modifier is a word or group of words that explains another word or group of words in a sentence. Recognize and correct the following kinds of misplacement. Dangling and misplaced modifiers dangling modifiers are words or phrases that do not have a clear term to modify in a sentence. A modifier a word or phrase that qualifies the meaning of another element in a sentence. Seventh grade lesson editing our writing for dangling modifiers. Students are shown the humor that can be created with dangling and misplaced modifiers. This sentence reads as if the tree stump was running recklessly through the forest, not james. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that does not logically modify any word in the sentence in which it. Arial default design misplaced and dangling modifiers slide 2 slide 3 q. Modifiers can make your writing more specific and more concrete.
Then they will exchange cartoons with a partner, and identify the intended and unintended meanings. Oct 12, 2015 students are shown the humor that can be created with dangling and misplaced modifiers. See how creative and humorous you can get by writing ten sentences with misplaced and dangling modifiers. Consider including one example of a misplaced modifier and one example of a dangling modifier for each student as well. If that modifier doesnt match up with its nearest neighbor, the sentence can end up saying something very different than intended. Dangling modifiers worksheet draw one line under the dangling modifier in. On july 20, 1969, american astronauts neil armstrong and edwin buzz aldrin landed on the moon, watched by nearly a fifth of the worlds population. Jul 04, 2015 when people try to make their writing sound elegant, they frequently use a modifier at the beginning of a sentence. Having learned spanish in just three months, the stay in mexico was a success. English grammar exercise dangling modifiers 1 identifying. In each case, see if you can explain both the intended meaning and the. A dangling modifier as a misplaced modifier eries public schools.
A dangling modifier has no concrete or logical referent in the sentence to which it can attach itself and therefore is said to dangle it has nothing to modify. Included in this category are descriptive words, prepositional phrases, and subordinate clauses. When you are finished, click on the check my work button at the bottom of the page to view the correct answers. A misplaced modifier happens to modify something that you did not intend to modify, oftenor hopefullywith humorous consequences. Sometimes writers use modifiers incorrectly, leading to strange and unintentionally humorous sentences. First, identify the misplaced or dangling modifier. Misplaced modifiers introductory project because of misplaced words, each of the sentences below has more than one possible meaning.
Middle schoolers identify modifiers in sentences and label them as either dangling or misplaced. When people try to make their writing sound elegant, they frequently use a modifier at the beginning of a sentence. Misplaced and dangling participles, answers and tips 1. Get a good laugh with misplaced modifiers bka content. Unlike a misplaced modifier, a dangling modifier cannot be corrected by simply moving it to a different place in a sentence. In prescriptive grammar, misplaced modifiers are usually regarded as errors.
Exchange papers with a classmate, and rewrite your classmates sentences to correct any misplaced modifiers. Dangling modifiers 1 identifying dangling modifiers level. Adding who threw the party corrects the problem of the dangling modifier. Using what they learn, students will create misplaced modifier cartoons. Sometimes to correct a misplaced or dangling modifier and clarify the meaning, the writer must change the words in a sentence.
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