Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers ACT Practice

Front

What is a misplaced modifier?

Back

A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word it modifies or describes, leading to confusion or ambiguity.

Front

What is a dangling modifier?

Back

A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence, often leading to unclear or illogical sentences.

Front

How can you identify a misplaced modifier in a sentence?

Back

Look for modifiers that are not placed next to the word they are supposed to modify, which can create confusion about what is being described.

Front

What is the correct placement of modifiers in a sentence?

Back

Modifiers should be placed as close as possible to the words they modify to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity.

Front

Provide an example of a sentence with a misplaced modifier.

Back

"She almost drove her kids to school every day." (It suggests she nearly did, rather than actually doing it.)

Front

Provide an example of a sentence with a dangling modifier.

Back

"After reading the book, the movie was disappointing." (It suggests the movie read the book.)

Front

What is the effect of using a dangling modifier in writing?

Back

It can create confusion and mislead the reader about the intended meaning of the sentence.

Front

How can you correct a dangling modifier?

Back

Rephrase the sentence to clearly indicate what is being modified, often by adding the subject that the modifier is intended to describe.

Front

What role do commas play in modifying phrases?

Back

Commas can help clarify the relationship between modifiers and the words they modify, especially in complex sentences.

Front

What is the difference between a restrictive and non-restrictive modifier?

Back

A restrictive modifier is essential to the meaning of a sentence, while a non-restrictive modifier adds extra information but can be removed without changing the sentence's meaning.