Common Modifier Errors

What is a misplaced modifier?

• incorrect words in a sentence that don't make sense

• an awkward placed word or phrase in the sentence causing confusion

• a phrase that describes multiple words in a sentence

• a complete sentence that modifies misplaced words

Find the misplaced modifier in this sentence: Amazingly, the man ran down the stairs in a leg cast.

• amazingly

• down the stairs

• in a leg cast

• the man ran

Find the misplaced modifier in this sentence: We almost lost all our money, and now we only have $10.00 to last the rest of the week.

• to last

• of the week

• to last the rest of the week

• almost

Which sentence has the correctly placed modifier?

• The dog belongs to that child with the brown spots.

• The dog with the brown spots belongs to that child.

• With the brown spots, the dog belongs to that child.

• To that child, the dog belongs with the brown spots.

Which word or phrase does the underlined word refer to?

The buffalo ambled toward us slowly.

Which word or phrase does slowly refer to?

• buffalo

• ambled

• toward us

Which word or phrase does the underlined word describe?

"How do you like your coffee?"

"Piping hot!"

• How

• coffee

• Piping

The patient was referred to the physician with stomach pains.

• dangling

• misplaced

• correct

Walking home at night, the trees looked like spooky aliens.

• dangling

• misplaced

• correct

Chewing furiously, the gum fell out of my mouth.

• dangling

• misplaced

• correct

What is a modifier in a sentence?

• A word or phrase that adds additional information
• A word that explains an action
• A phrase that changes one's action
• A clause that cannot be its own sentence