Understanding Dangling Modifiers

What is a dangling modifier?

• A dangling modifier is a sentence that lacks a subject.

• A dangling modifier is a grammatical error where a descriptive phrase is not clearly linked to the word it modifies.

• A dangling modifier is a phrase that adds unnecessary information.

• A dangling modifier is a type of punctuation error.

Identify the dangling modifier in the sentence: 'Running down the street, the dog barked at me.'

• Barking loudly, the dog ran

• The dog barked at me

• The street was empty

• Running down the street

Correct the following sentence: 'After reading the book, the movie was disappointing.'

• I was disappointed by the movie after reading the book.

• After reading the book, the movie was better than expected.

• After reading the book, I found the movie disappointing.

• The movie was disappointing after reading the book.

Which of the following sentences contains a dangling modifier?

• To improve her skills, the piano was practiced daily.

• After finishing the project, the deadline was extended.

• While walking in the park, the flowers were beautiful.

• After reading the book, the movie was disappointing.

Explain why dangling modifiers can lead to confusion in writing.

• Dangling modifiers enhance the flow of writing.

• Dangling modifiers are always grammatically correct.

• Dangling modifiers clarify the meaning of sentences.

• Dangling modifiers can lead to confusion because they create ambiguity about what is being modified, resulting in misinterpretation of the sentence.

Rewrite this sentence to eliminate the dangling modifier: 'To improve her grades, the test was studied by Maria.'

• Maria studied to improve her grades on the test.

• To improve her grades, studying the test was done by Maria.

• The test was studied by Maria to improve her grades.

• To improve her grades, Maria studied the test.

What is the main effect of a dangling modifier on sentence clarity?

• It enhances sentence clarity by providing more detail.

• It has no effect on sentence clarity whatsoever.

• It reduces sentence clarity by causing ambiguity.

• It makes the sentence more engaging and interesting.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a modifier: 'Hiking in the mountains, the view was breathtaking.' or 'Hiking in the mountains, we found the view breathtaking.'

• We found the breathtaking view while hiking in the mountains.

• Hiking in the mountains, the breathtaking view was found by us.

• Hiking in the mountains, we found the view breathtaking.

• The view was breathtaking while hiking in the mountains.

Identify the error in this sentence: 'After finishing the assignment, the computer was shut down.'

• The computer should be the subject of the sentence.

• The gerund phrase is correctly placed and clear.

• The subject of the gerund phrase is unclear; it should specify who finished the assignment.

• The sentence is grammatically correct as it is.

How can you avoid dangling modifiers in your writing?

• Always place modifiers at the end of sentences.

• Place modifiers next to the words they modify.

• Avoid using any modifiers in your writing.

• Use more complex sentence structures.