Misplaced Modifiers

1. Misplaced Modifiers When extra details go hilariously wrong!

2. Modifier Errors • A modifier or modifying phrase is never essential to the main sentence; it simply adds extra details about the more important elements of the sentence. • Here’s an example: • “who worked as a fireman for many years” This phrase adds detail and description to something– in this case it would provide background in formation about someone already mentioned in a sentence.

3. Attaching Modifiers • Such details have to be attached to something or someone– they can’t just stand on their own. Modifiers will never be complete sentences; they are always dependant clauses on their attachment to the main sentence. Continuing with the fireman example, the modifying phrase might be attached to a sentence in the following way: • “Jeremy, who worked as a fireman for many years, was able to rescue a cat from a very tall tree.”

4. The Rule w/ Modifiers It’s really, really important that the modifier is right next to the person or thing it is modifying! If you break this rule, prepare for some hilarious misinterpretations! Let’s see. “Jeremy was able to rescue the cat, who worked as a fireman for many years, from a tall tree.”

5. The Trick to Catching Misplaced Modifiers… • EXPECT them! • ANY descriptive sentence should be suspect! • 4/5 times the modifying phrase will appear at the beginning of the sentence • Once you’ve found the mistake, your next goal is to eliminate the answer choices that repeat the modifier mistake while looking for the other options that fix the modifier next to the person or thing it was meant to describe • Use common sense and make sure that the description matches up with something non-ridiculous

6. Let’s Review • Look for phrases that give extra detail or description. They cannot stand on their own. They are usually set apart my commas. • The beginning of a sentence is the most common place to hide a misplaced modifier. • Use common sense logic: can cats be firemen? • Learn to appreciate the humor and look for them! • Fix the errors by putting modifying phrases right next to the person or thing they are meant to describe.

7. Let’s try some out for practice….

8. While it panted and strained its leash, the dog’s owner attempted to restrain the puppy when it saw a squirrel at the dog park. • While it panted and strained its leash, the dog’s owner attempted to restrain the puppy • While it panted and strained its leash, the dog’s owner attempted to restrain it • With it panting and straining the leash, the puppy was attempted to be restrained by the owner • The dog’s owner attempted to restrain the puppy while it panted and strained at its leash • The dog’s owner, restraining while it panted and strained at its leash