Misplaced Modifiers

Report on English Basic :)

1. Misplaced Modifiers Group IV

2. What is a Modifier? It is a word or phrase that qualifies (modifies) a word, phrase or clause. Types: adjectives (modify nouns and pronouns) adverbs (modify verbs) modifier phrases (modify an action or an actor)

3. What is a Misplaced Modifier? It is a word or word group whose placement suggests that it modifies one word or phrase when it is intended to modify another. It is improperly separated from the word it modifies / describes. 

4. Example: On her way home, Carmie found a gold man’s watch. Misplaced Modifier

5. Correct: On her way home, Carmie found a man’s gold watch.

6. Several Kinds of Misplaced Modifiers

7. MISPLACED WORDS

8. Misplaced Adjectives are incorrectly separated from the nouns they modify and almost always distort the intended meaning.

9. Correct the error by placing the adjective  next to the noun it modifies . Example: Incorrect: Corrected:

10. Placement of Adverbs  can also change meaning in sentences and also creates a sentence whose meaning is highly unlikely or completely ridiculous.

11. Example: To repair the meaning, move the adverb slowly so that it is near  ate. Incorrect: Correct:

12. Incorrect: Correct: Example:

13. Phrases Misplaced

14. Misplaced Phrases may cause a sentence to sound awkward and may create a meaning that does not make sense.

15. Put the phrases  next to  the noun they are supposed to modify.  Example: Incorrect: Corrected:

16. Example: Incorrect: Corrected:

17. Misplaced Clauses

18. Misplaced Clauses may cause a sentence to sound awkward and may create a meaning that does not make sense.

19. To fix the errors and clarify the meaning, put the clauses  next to  the noun they are supposed to modify.  Example: Incorrect: Corrected:

20. Placing Modifiers Correctly Once you have identified a modifier, you need to identify the person, place or thing that it is modifying. Modifiers usually have to accompany the thing they are modifying or go as close to it as possible, or should be placed next to the word it describes.

21. Let’s take a TEST!

22. Rewrite each sentence, moving the misplaced modifier in bold to its correct position. 1.) She served sandwiches to the children on paper plates . 2.) The young girl was walking with the dog in a short skirt .

23. 5.) Swinging wildly through the trees , the children were delighted by the monkeys. 3.) At the carnival, clowns were handing out toys to children  in colorful paper bags . 4.) Tommy with the red stripes is wearing a shirt. 

24. 1.) She served sandwiches on paper plates to the children. 2.) The young girl in a short skirt was walking with the dog. ANSWERS:

25. 3.) At the carnival, clowns were handing out toys  in colorful paper bags  to children. 5.) The children were delighted by the monkeys, swinging wildly through the trees . 4.) Tommy is wearing a shirt with the red stripes.