Misplaced ModifiersParallel Structure

Modifiers

• A modifier is simply a word, phrase, or clause that adds description in a sentence.

• Modifiers need to be placed CLOSE to the word they describe.

• Dangling modifier- Introductory clause that describes the subject, but the subject is not named after comma

Misplaced Modifier Examples

• INCORRECT- An elementary school teacher from Arkansas, increased funding and support for public libraries were what Bessie Boehm Moore advocated for.

• An elementary school teacher from Arkansas, Bessie Boehm Moore advocated for increased funding and support for libraries.

Watch out for Possessives!

• Incorrect- An elementary school teacher from Arkansas, Bessie Boehm Moore’s goal was to achieve increased funding and support for libraries.

• An elementary school teacher from Arkansas, Bessie Boehm Moore had the goal of achieving increased funding and support for public libraries.

Another Example

• Incorrect- Born in a small town in Missouri, the majority of singer and actress Josephine Baker’s career was spent performing throughout Europe.

• Born in a small town in Missouri, singer and actress Josephine Baker spent the majority of her career performing throughout Europe.

Third Example

• Incorrect- Stretching from one end of the city to the other, the efficiency of Frankfurt’s train system often surprises both tourists and city residents.

• Stretching from one end of the city to the other, Frankfurt’s train system often surprises both tourists and city residents with its efficiency.

Misplaced Modifiers

• I saw the dead dog driving down the highway.

• He wore a straw hat on his head, which was obviously too small.

• She carefully studied the Picasso hanging in the art gallery with her friend.

• He held the umbrella over Janet’s head that he got from Delta Airlines.

ACT Example

• Claude McKay was one of the most important poets of the Harlem Renaissance that moved to New York after studying agronomy in Kansas.

• Modifiers need to be CLOSE to the word(s) they modify!

• The Harlem Renaissance moved to New York?

Corrected Versions

• One of the most important poets of the Harlem Renaissance, Claude McKay moved to New York after studying agronomy in Kansas.

• Claude McKay, one of the most important poets of the Harlem Renaissance, moved to New York after studying agronomy in Kansas.

• Claude McKay was one of the most important poets of the Harlem Renaissance; he moved to New York City after studying agronomy in Kansas.

ACT STYLE

• Pigeons have long played an important role as messengers due to their homing ability, speed, and altitude. During the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, the French military used pigeons to transport

messengers to Paris, a time when the city was surrounded by Prussian troops

• What is wrong with this sentence?• Look at what comes after the COMMA before Paris

Answer

• Pigeons have long played an important role as messengers due to their homing ability, speed, and altitude. Pigeons were used to

transport messages to Paris during the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, a time when the city was surrounded by Prussian troops.

ACT Style

• One of the most important African American poets in the 1920s was Claude McKay, who moved to New York City after studying agronomy in Kansas.

• The underlined phrase could be placed in all of the following EXCEPT• A- The beginning of the sentence (capitalize “In” and comma after

1920s)• B- After the word “who”• C- After the word “important’• D- After the words “New York City”

Parallel Structure

• When introducing a list of three or more items, each item should be introduced in the same format.

• Noun, noun, noun• Adjective, adjective, adjective• Verb, verb, verb• Infinitive, infinitive, infinitive• Gerund, gerund, gerund• Preposition, preposition, preposition

Parallel Structure

• He wanted three things out of college: to learn a skill, to make good friends, and to learn about life.

• He wanted three things out of college: to learn a skill, to make good friends, and learning about life.

Example 2

• Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and a wise friend.

• Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and friend.

Example 3

• There's nothing I like better than finding a good trout stream, setting up camp, and spending a couple of days fishing.

• There's nothing I like better than finding a good trout stream, setting up camp, and to spend a couple of days fishing.

Example 4

• Denzel’s GPA is higher than Marcus.

• Denzel’s GPA is higher than Marcus’.

ACT Example

• Changes in the wind circulation patterns, runoff from sewage, and they accumulate chemical fertilizers can lead to the creation of ocean waters low in oxygen and inhospitable to marine life.

• A. No change• B. accumulating• C- to accumulate• D- accumulation of

ACT Example

• Because they have a highly developed sense of vision, most lizards communicate by using clear body language, to change their colors, and displaying their athletic abilities.

• A. No change• B. they change• C. will change• D. changing

“And” or “or” before last item

• Changes in wind circulation patterns, runoff from sewage, the use of chemical fertilizers can lead to the creation of ocean waters low in oxygen and inhospitable to marine life.

• AND THE USE OF