Misplaced Modifiers

1. Misplaced Modifiers The student will manipulate sentence structure in order to avoid misplaced modifiers to ensure clarity. [4c2]

2. What is a “Modifier”? • a word or word group that makes the meaning of another word or word group more specific. • two kinds of modifiers: • adjectives • (modify nouns and pronouns) • adverbs • (modify verbs, adjectives, and adverbs)

3. One-Word Modifiers • If a word in the predicate modifies the subject of the verb, use an adjective. • The cantor’s voice was beautiful. • If it modifies the verb, use an adverb. • The cantor sang beautifully.

4. Practice • English I: workbook p. 191 (1-5), 190 (1-5), 192 (1-5) • English II: workbook p. 194

5. Misplaced Modifiers • A word or phrase that seems to modify the wrong word or word group is a misplaced modifier. • I played with my pet dog in my Sunday suit. (incorrect) • I played in my Sunday suit with my pet dog. (correct) • To correct misplaced modifiers, move the modifying word or phrase directy before or after the word it modifies.

6. Practice • 1. On her way home, Jan found a gold man’s watch. • 2. We ate the lunch that we had bought slowly. • 3. The dealer sold the Cadillac to the buyer with leather seats. • 4. They saw a fence behind the house made of barbed wire.

7. Practice • English I: workbook p. 207 • English II: workbook p. 209

8. Homework • English I: textbook p. 588, Exercise 12 (1-10). Write the sentences. • English II: textbook p. 629, Exercise 7 (1-10). Write the sentences.