Misplaced Modifiers
A _______________ is an _________________ or __________________, and can be written in
the form of words, phrases, verbals, or clauses.
Sometimes __________________ can be _________________. This doesn’t mean they are lost,
but the meaning of the sentence might be lost.
We know a _________________ is __________________ if we can’t tell what the modifiers are
modifying.
If a _______________ placement doesn’t make it clear what it __________________, the
sentence may be misunderstood.
To correct misplaced __________________, move the modifying word or phrase so that it
appears directly ______________ or ______________ the word it modifies.
Example 1: I played with my pet dog in my Sunday suit. (Incorrect)
The dog wasn’t in the suit, but since the phrase comes after dog, the sentence appears to mean
that. In my Sunday suit is a prepositional phrase that should modify I, not dog, so moving it
closer to I makes the meaning clearer.
Example 2: I played in my Sunday suit with my pet dog. (Correct)
Common _______________ that are _________________ are only, almost, just, even, merely,
and scarcely.
Example 3: Look at the following sentences to see how the position of just affects the meaning
of the sentence. Write the meaning in the blank provided. One is done for you.
Just the boys thanked the coach.
The boys just thanked the coach.
The boys thanked just the coach.
Meaning: _______________________________________
Meaning: The boys did nothing else but thank the coach.
Meaning: _______________________________________
Example 4: The veggies at the produce stand grown in Mississippi were the freshest. (Incorrect)
There are two modifiers, both modifying veggies:
1) at the produce stand is a prepositional phrase modifying veggies
2) grown in Mississippi is a participial phrase modifying veggies
Since there are _________ phrases ________________ one ____________, the only way to
correct it is to put one phrase ____________ the noun and the other phrase _________ the noun.
At the produce stand, the vegetables grown in Mississippi were the freshest. (Correct)
Practice 1: These sentences contain misplaced modifiers. Rewrite each sentence correctly.
1. Piled up next to the washer, I began doing the laundry.
I began doing the laundry that was piled up next to the washer._____________________
2. While talking on the phone, the doorbell rang.
________________________________________________________________________
3. I like to listen to rock music doing my homework.
________________________________________________________________________
4. Swinging wildly through the trees, the children were delighted by the monkeys.
________________________________________________________________________
5. I saw the trailer peeking through the window.
________________________________________________________________________
6. She wants to just get rid of her teddy bears.
________________________________________________________________________
7. Standing on the balcony, the ocean view was magnificent
________________________________________________________________________
8. She only washed some of her clothes.
________________________________________________________________________
9. Running across the floor, the rug slipped and I lost my balance.
________________________________________________________________________
10. Spending way too much money on his old car, Fred’s salary just wasn’t enough.
________________________________________________________________________
Practice 2: Circle the answer for the following questions. These are formatted like the state test.
1. Statement 1: Marlo watched a hilarious comedy show.
Statement 2: Marlo could barely hold back his laughter.
Which sentence combination avoids a misplaced modifier?
A. Watching the hilarious comedy show, Marlo could barely hold back his laughter.
B. Watching the hilarious comedy show, Marlo’s laughter could barely be held back.
C. Marlo’s laughter could barely be held back watching the hilarious comedy show.
D. Marlo watched a hilarious comedy show barely holding back his laughter.
2. Statement 1: Jamie played the best game of his life.
Statement 2: Jamie could not contain his excitement.
Which sentence combination contains a misplaced modifier?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Since Jamie played the best game of his life, he could not contain his excitement.
Jamie could not contain his excitement because he played the best game of his life.
Playing the best game of his life, Jamie’s excitement could not be contained.
Unable to contain his excitement, Jamie played the best game of his life.