Fixing Misplaced Modifiers
Learning Objective
I can identify and correct misplaced modifiers in sentences.
Key Concepts
A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that provides description in a sentence.
A misplaced modifier is a modifier that is too far from the word it is describing, which can cause confusion.
To correct misplaced modifiers, move the modifier closer to the word or phrase it is meant to modify, or rearrange the sentence for clarity.
Practice Questions
This lesson includes 3 practice questions to reinforce learning.
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1. Identify the misplaced modifier in the following sentence: 'Covered in mud, the child's mother hosed him off.' Explain why it is misplaced and how you would correct it.
2. Rewrite the following sentence to correct the misplaced modifier: 'I almost ate the entire pizza by myself.' Explain how your revision clarifies the sentence's meaning.
3. Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?
Educational Video
Misplaced Modifiers
The Nature of Writing