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Misplaced & DanglingMisplaced & Dangling

ModifiersModifiers

English Skills for Academic StudiesEnglish Skills for Academic Studies

John LanganJohn Langan

(pp 331-339)(pp 331-339)

Sentence SkillsSentence Skills

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What is a modifier?ModifiersModifiers

A modifier is a word or a group of wordsthat give additional information about

another word, often by describing or

classifying it, or by restricting its meaning.

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When building a sentence, avoid needless

separation of related parts of the

sentence.

Misplaced ModifiersMisplaced Modifiers

A misplaced modifiermisplaced modifieris positioned in a

sentence so that it is unclear which word,phrase, or clause is being modified.

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Modifiers such asalmostalmost,, onlyonly

,,

just

just,, eveneven,,

hardlyhardly

,, nearlynearly

, and merelymerely

, should be placedimmediately before the words they modify.

Example:My mother only works on Saturdays andMy mother only works on Saturdays and

Sundays.Sundays.

This sentence says that, on Saturdays andSundays, the mother only works -- she doesnot eat, sleep, or talk.

Modifiers such asalmostalmost,, onlyonly

,,

just

just,, eveneven,,

hardlyhardly

,, nearlynearly

,andmerelymerely

, should be placedimmediately before the words they modify.

Example:My mother only works on Saturdays andMy mother only works on Saturdays and

Sundays.Sundays.

This sentence says that, on Saturdays andSundays, the mother onlyworks-- she doesnot eat, sleep, or talk.

Misplaced ModifiersMisplaced Modifiers

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We must place the modifier in the right position, so

that the sentence can be clearly understood.

Ex.: My motherMy mother only worksonly works on Saturdays andon Saturdays and

Sundays.Sundays.

Revised:Revised: My motherMy mother works onlyworks only on Saturdayson Saturdays

and Sundays.and Sundays.

Misplaced ModifiersMisplaced Modifiers

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A modifyingphrase should

clearly indicate

what the phrase

modifies.

Example..Example..

Her job is to file newspaperHer job is to file newspaper

articles about handgun usearticles about handgun use

in the library.in the library.

Example..Example..

Her job is to file newspaperHer job is to file newspaper

articles about handgun usearticles about handgun use

in the library.in the library.

Revised..Revised..

Her job in the library is toHer job in the library is tofile newspaper articlesfile newspaper articles

about handgun use.about handgun use.

Revised..Revised..

Her job in the library is toHer job in the library is tofile newspaper articlesfile newspaper articles

about handgun use.about handgun use.

Misplaced ModifiersMisplaced Modifiers

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Modifying clauses should be

placed near the words they modify.

Modifying clauses should be

placed near the words they modify.

Example..Example..

The librarian explains

how they use the

computer to do researchbefore the class

begins.

Example..Example..

The librarian explains

how they use the

computer to do research

before the class

begins.

Revised..Revised..

Before the class

begins, the librarian

explains

how they use thecomputer to

do research.

Revised..Revised..

Before the class

begins, the librarian

explains

how they use thecomputer to

do research.

Modifying ClausesModifying Clauses

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Example:Example:

Researching onResearching on

the Internet, manythe Internet, many

facts are easilyfacts are easily

obtained for theobtained for the

report.report.

A dangling modifierdangling modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that

does not modify any element in a sentence.

A dangling modifierdangling modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that

does not modify any element in a sentence.

What is the subject of the

sentence?

Ifmany factsmany factsis the

subject, then who is

researching on theInternet?

Dangling ModifiersDangling Modifiers

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WeWeis the

subject, so we are

researching on theinternet.

Revised:Revised:

Researching onResearching on

the internet, wethe internet, we

easily foundeasily found

many facts formany facts for

the report.the report.

Dangling ModifiersDangling Modifiers

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Example:Example:

Because of going toBecause of going to

many parties, mymany parties, my

term paper wasterm paper was

late.late.

Dangling ModifiersDangling Modifiers

What is the subject of

the sentence?

Ifterm paperterm paperis the

subject, then who is

going to many parties?

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Revised:Revised:

Because of going to many parties,Because of going to many parties,IIhanded in my term paper late.handed in my term paper late.

Dangling ModifiersDangling Modifiers

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Homework and RevisionHomework and Revision

1.1. Study the diagrammaticStudy the diagrammatic

presentation on How to Identifypresentation on How to Identify

and Correct Misplaced Modifiersand Correct Misplaced Modifiers

and Dangling Modifiers.and Dangling Modifiers.

2.2. Complete Worksheet 11 & 12 of theComplete Worksheet 11 & 12 of theStudy Guide.Study Guide.

Misplaced and DanglingMisplaced and Dangling

ModifiersModifiers