misplaced modifiers
DESCRIPTION
Misplaced Modifiers. Descriptions in the wrong place. Description. Writing is like art… Description adds c o l o r and interest to writing. . Description. Description helps readers understand what you’re saying. Adjectives & Adverbs help writers describe. . Description. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Misplaced Modifiers
Descriptions in the wrong place
DescriptionWriting is like art…Description adds color and interest to
writing.
DescriptionDescription helps readers understand
what you’re saying. Adjectives & Adverbs help writers
describe.
Description
Adjective: scaly, wild, rainy
Adverb: quickly, suddenly , almost
Phrase: wearing a skirtClause: that was stolen yesterday
Description
Adjectives and adverbs modify, or shape, the meaning of words.
sofafluffy pink sofa
DescriptionSometimes modifying adjectives and adverbs are misplaced, which changes the meaning.
MISPLACED WORDS
Descriptive adjectives and adverbs in the wrong place
Misplaced Word - Incorrect Darren was so
thirsty he almost drank all the water in the cooler.
Notice how Darren almost makes it to the water, but he does not actually get to drink the water…He almost drinks, but does not actually drink.
Corrected SentenceDarren was so
thirsty he drank almost all the water in the cooler.
Now, Darren drinks almost all the water, which is what the sentence is supposed to say.
Misplaced Word - Incorrect Jane nearly kissed everyone at the
party.
They’re nearly kissing, but not really kissing!
Corrected SentenceJane kissed nearly everyone at the
party.
Now that’s kissing--not just nearly kissing!
Misplaced Word - Incorrect After my conversation lessons, I
could understand the Spanish spoken easily by the musicians from Mexico. We think speaking Spanish is easy!
Corrected SentenceAfter my conversation lessons, I could
easily understand the Spanish spoken by the musicians from Mexico. I’m so glad I took
those lessons or I would have no idea what these guys are saying!
MISPLACED PHRASESDescriptive phrases in the wrong place
Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect
The girl walked her dog in a ballet skirt.
I am going to shred this tu-tu the minute she looks away,
Corrected Sentence The girl in a ballet skirt walked her
dog.
This sweater looks stupid, but it’s better than that skirt!
My tu-tu smells like a dog!
Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect
Flat against the ironing board, my mother ironed the shirt.
Note how flat mom is!
Corrected SentenceMy mother ironed the shirt flat
against the ironing board.
Oh…the shirt is supposed
to be flat! (not mom…)
Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect
The father cheered at the television with his son.
Dad is watching the TV with his son on the screen.
Corrected SentenceThe father and son cheered at
the television screen.
Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect
Advertisers tried to make the product appealing to women with oversized diamonds.
What could be better than a woman with her own oversized diamonds???
Corrected SentenceAdvertisers used oversized
diamonds to make the product appealing to women.
Oversized diamonds… now that appeals to me!
Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect
The restaurant serves food to customers in take-out containers.
Corrected Sentence
The restaurant serves customers food in take-out containers.
I’m not getting into that noodle box, so forget it.
The patient was referred to a psychologist with a range of emotional problems.
Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect
I have a range of issues!
Dr. Ima Nutt, psychologist
Corrected SentenceThe patient with
a range of emotional problems was referred to a psychologist.
Where’s that psychologist???
Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect
Hanging on the rack all week, Dan forgot his new coat.
Look, there’s Dan!
Corrected SentenceDan forgot his new coat that was
hanging on the rack all week.
Look, there’s Dan’s coat!
Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect
Covered in poppies, Brian admired the green fields.
What a lovely green field!
Corrected Sentence Brian
admired the green fields covered in poppies.
This green, poppy covered field is lovely!
Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect
Lifting weights for an hour, my dog waited patiently for me to finish.
Should I use my paw or my mouth?
Corrected Sentence
While I finished lifting weights, my dog waited patiently for an hour.
She’s been sitting on that ball for an hour!
Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect
Wearing a silly dress at the county fair, my uncle thought I looked ridiculous.
Corrected Sentence
I was wearing a silly dress at the county fair, and my uncle thought I looked ridiculous.
-or- Wearing a silly dress at
the county fair, I looked ridiculous to my uncle.
Is this dress too much for the county fair??
Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect
We looked for someone to take care of our cow who does not smoke or drink.
Unlike those fools, I do not smoke or drink.
Corrected SentenceWe looked for someone who
does not smoke or drink to take care of our cow.
I’m sober and smoke-free!
Make sure your descriptions are placed properly!
End of presentation.