The Misplaced and Dangling Modifier. is often misplaced and it will be the last place you look (get it? )

Transcription

1 The Misplaced and Dangling Modifier is often misplaced and it will be the last place you look (get it? )

2 **Somebody raise your hand and ask this question** Mr. Rodney, what s a Modifier and why is it misplaced and what about that other modifier? Modifiers (participle phrases, adjective clauses) are words, phrases, or clauses that add description to sentences. Typically, you will find a modifier snuggled right next to either in front of or behind the word it logically describes. Sometimes a writer places the modifier too far away from the word it should describe. Born in the confusion is a misplaced modifier, an error. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that is not clearly and logically related to the word or words it modifies (placed next to). Unlike a misplaced modifier, a dangling modifier cannot be corrected by simply moving it to a different place in a sentence.

3 **Somebody raise your hand and ask this question** Mr. Rodney, what s a participle phrase? A participle phrase will begin with a present or past participle. If the participle is present, it will dependably end in -ing. Likewise, a regular past participle will end in a consistent ed. Irregular past participles, unfortunately, conclude in all kinds of ways. Since all phrases require two or more words, a participle phrase will often include objects and/or modifiers that complete the thought

4 Participle phrases always function as adjectives, adding description to the sentence. Read these examples: The horse trotting up to the fence hopes that you have an apple or carrot. Trotting up to the fence modifies the noun horse. The water drained slowly in the pipe clogged with dog hair. Clogged with dog hair modifies the noun pipe. Eaten by mosquitoes, we wished that we had made hotel, not campsite, reservations. Eaten by mosquitoes modifies the pronoun we

5 **Somebody raise your hand and ask this question** Mr. Rodney, what s an adjective clause? An adjective clause also called an adjectival or relative clause will meet three requirements: First, it will contain a subject and verb. Next, it will begin with a relative pronoun [who, whom, whose, that, or which] or a relative adverb [when, where, or why]. Finally, it will function as an adjective, answering the questions What kind? How many? or Which one?

6 The adjective clause will follow one of these two patterns: Relative Pronoun or Adverb + Subject + Verb Relative Pronoun as Subject + Verb

7 Adjective Clause Examples: Whose big, brown eyes pleaded for another cookie Whose = relative pronoun; eyes = subject; pleaded = verb. Why Fred cannot stand sitting across from his sister Melanie Why = relative adverb; Fred = subject; can stand = verb [not, an adverb, is not officially part of the verb]. That bounced across the kitchen floor That = relative pronoun functioning as subject; bounced = verb.

8 The modifier and where we should put it Take the simple, one-word adjective blue. If we add it to the sentence that follows, where should it go? At a downtown dealership, Kara bought a truck from a salesman with a comb over. At a downtown dealership, Kara bought a blue truck from a salesman with a comb over.

9 Sometimes a writer places the modifier too far away from the word it should describe. Born in the confusion is a misplaced modifier, an error. Read and fix these examples: Churning in the Atlantic Ocean, we anxiously watched the weather report for information about the hurricane. We anxiously watched the weather report for information about the hurricane churning in the Atlantic Ocean. Raymond wore his one collared shirt to the job interview, which was unfortunately stained with yellow mustard. Raymond wore his one collared shirt, which was unfortunately stained with yellow mustard, to the job interview.

10 In a similar manner, multi-word phrases and clauses often go right next to the word they describe. Here are some examples: Identify the participle phrase and the noun it describes Gazing out the window, Paul missed the homework assignment that Prof. Zuromski wrote on the board. Gazing out the window is a participle phrase describing Paul, the noun that follows. Sam gobbled the sandwich, which was soggy with tomato juice, as he rushed to class. Which was soggy with tomato juice is an adjective clause describing sandwich, the noun before it.

11 More Examples of Misplaced Modifiers Read and fix these examples: Professor Jones, who was late with another essay, waited for the slacker student. Professor Jones waited for the slacker student who was late with another essay. She handed out brownies to the children stored in Tupperware. She handed out brownies, stored in Tupperware, to the children.

12 Dangling Modifiers and how to fix them: Sometimes the dangling modifier error occurs because the sentence fails to specify anything to which the modifier can refer. Looking toward the west, a funnel shaped cloud stirred up dust.

13 2 Ways to Fix a Dangling Modifier: Correction Method 1 1. Leave the modifier as it is. 2. Change the main part of the sentence so that it begins with the term actually modified. 3. This change will put the modifier next to the term it modifies Dangling: Looking toward the west, a funnel shaped cloud stirred up dust. Good: Looking toward the west, I saw a funnel shaped cloud stir up dust.

14 Correction Method 2 1. Change the dangling phrase to a subordinate clause, creating a subject and verb. 2. Leave the rest of the sentence as it is. Dangling: When nine years old, my mother enrolled in medical school. Good: When I was nine years old, my mother enrolled in medical school. Dangling: Having been fixed the night before, Priscilla could use the car. Good: Since the car had been fixed the night before, Priscilla could use it..