MiSPLACED AND Dangling modifiers

1. MiSPLACED AND Dangling modifiers

2. How do you define the word, “misplace”? According to www.dictionary.com, the word misplace means, “to put in the wrong place”. What happens when you misplace something?

3. What can be misplaced in grammar? Adverbs, adjectives, phrases, and clauses can all be misplaced in sentences. When these things are misplaced, we call them misplaced modifiers. This causes the reader to receive an unclear understanding of the writer’s intentions.

4. Misplaced Adjectives When writing or speaking, you must be sure to place an adjective next to the word that it is modifying. Wrong: The dusty student’s bookshelf made me sneeze. The adjective in this sentence is “dusty”. Is the student or the bookshelf dusty? Correct: The student’s dusty bookshelf made me sneeze.

5. Misplaced Adjectives Wrong: The oily man’s pen was hard to hold. What’s oily? Correct: The man’s oily pen was hard to hold.

6. Misplaced Adverbs Adverbs can modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. When deciding where adverbs should be placed, we must consider the writer’s intended meaning. Because I was so thirsty, I devoured the juice that my mom gave me immediately. Remember, the modifier must be close to whatever it is modifying. Does “immediately” modify gave or devoured?

7. Misplaced Adverbs Remember: adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. Corrected sentence: Because I was so thirsty, I immediately devoured the juice that my mom gave me. Remember, the modifier must be close to whatever it is modifying.

8. Stop: Activity 1 The bag on your table contains sentence strips with modifiers. Correctly form the sentences. Avoid misplaced modifiers. ****WAIT 1 second! Let’s look at the sentences, first. 

9. 1. Pleasegivehim the green cat’s collar. 2. I really need a hot cup of soup. 3. The prickly man’s cactus mutilated my finger. 4. Shetook the floral lady’s dress to the cleaners. 5. My mom loves to eat a zesty bowl of chili.

10. Adjectives - Check your work.

11. Misplaced phrases Phrases should also be placed next to the word they modify. Incorrect: Unhappy with her stench, my mom watched the cat clean herself. Incorrect: My mom took the drink to the lady with grapes and mango. Incorrect: She noticed a book on her route to class.

12. Misplaced phrases Phrases should also be placed next to the word they modify. Incorrect: Unhappy with her stench, my mom saw the cat clean herself. Correct: Unhappy with her stench, the cat cleaned herself, and my mom saw it all. Incorrect: My aunt took the drink to the lady with grapes and mango. Correct: My aunt took the drink with grapes and mango to the lady. Incorrect: She noticed a book on the route to class. Correct: On the route to class, she noticed a book.

13. Incorrect: The woman put the necklace in the jewelry box with blonde hair. Correct: The woman with blonde hair put the necklace in the jewelry box.

14. Misplaced Clauses Incorrect: Shelia bought a new chewable toy for my dog which was on sale at the pet store. Correct: Shelia bought a new chewable toy, which was on sale at the pet store, for my dog.

15. Dangling Modifiers When your modifier is left alone, a dangling modifier occurs. You will need to insert what is being modified. Ex. Boiled to the delicious color of bright red, we love it when my uncle prepares dinner. What’s being boiled? How would we correct this sentence? Correct: We love it when my uncle prepares lobster that is boiled to the delicious color of bright red. Correct: Boiled to the delicious color of bright red, lobster is one of my favorite dishes prepared by my uncle.

16. Dangling Modifiers Incorrect: After completing the marathon, the chair was a welcomed sight. Correct: After completing the marathon, I was tired, and the chair was a welcomed sight.

17. Reinforcement Activity Complete the worksheet with your partner. This is for a grade. It will be graded tomorrow.