Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers Tutorial - Gordon State College
Created by April Turner RULES OF THUMB FOR DANGLING AND MISPLACED MODIFIERS Ms. Simmons December...
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Transcript of Created by April Turner RULES OF THUMB FOR DANGLING AND MISPLACED MODIFIERS Ms. Simmons December...
![Page 1: Created by April Turner RULES OF THUMB FOR DANGLING AND MISPLACED MODIFIERS Ms. Simmons December ‘11.](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022072015/56649ed05503460f94bdf11b/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Created by April Turner
RULES OF THUMB FOR DANGLING AND
MISPLACED MODIFIERS
Ms. Simmons
December ‘11
![Page 2: Created by April Turner RULES OF THUMB FOR DANGLING AND MISPLACED MODIFIERS Ms. Simmons December ‘11.](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022072015/56649ed05503460f94bdf11b/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Dangling Modifiers
are words or phrases which “dangle” because they have no word in the sentence to describe:
While taking a shower, the doorbell rang.
The doorbell was taking a shower?
![Page 3: Created by April Turner RULES OF THUMB FOR DANGLING AND MISPLACED MODIFIERS Ms. Simmons December ‘11.](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022072015/56649ed05503460f94bdf11b/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Revise dangling modifiers
by adding a headword—a noun or pronoun that is described:
While I was taking a shower, the doorbell rang.
OR While taking a shower, I heard the doorbell
ring.
![Page 4: Created by April Turner RULES OF THUMB FOR DANGLING AND MISPLACED MODIFIERS Ms. Simmons December ‘11.](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022072015/56649ed05503460f94bdf11b/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
A Misplaced Modifier
is placed too close to some other word that it does not intend to modify:
I only speak one language.
All you ever do is speak one language?
![Page 5: Created by April Turner RULES OF THUMB FOR DANGLING AND MISPLACED MODIFIERS Ms. Simmons December ‘11.](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022072015/56649ed05503460f94bdf11b/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Revise misplaced modifiers
by placing the modifier next to its headword:
I speak only one language.
![Page 6: Created by April Turner RULES OF THUMB FOR DANGLING AND MISPLACED MODIFIERS Ms. Simmons December ‘11.](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022072015/56649ed05503460f94bdf11b/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Split Infinitives
are misplaced modifiers which are placed between the preposition to and the verb in an infinitive--a grammatical unit consisting of the word to plus a verb (to eat, to sleep, etc.):
Dentists encourage children to regularly brush their teeth.
The modifier regularly is splitting the infinitive to brush.
![Page 7: Created by April Turner RULES OF THUMB FOR DANGLING AND MISPLACED MODIFIERS Ms. Simmons December ‘11.](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022072015/56649ed05503460f94bdf11b/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Revise split infinitives
by moving the modifier to another part of the sentence:
Dentists encourage children to brush their teeth regularly.
![Page 8: Created by April Turner RULES OF THUMB FOR DANGLING AND MISPLACED MODIFIERS Ms. Simmons December ‘11.](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022072015/56649ed05503460f94bdf11b/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Squinting Modifiers
are misplaced modifiers which seem to modify two words:
Patty who was walking quickly reached the club.
Is Patty walking quickly, or is she quickly reaching the club?
![Page 9: Created by April Turner RULES OF THUMB FOR DANGLING AND MISPLACED MODIFIERS Ms. Simmons December ‘11.](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022072015/56649ed05503460f94bdf11b/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Revise squinting modifiers
by changing the word order so there is no ambiguity:
Patty, who was quickly walking, reached the club.
OR Patty who was walking reached the club
quickly.
![Page 10: Created by April Turner RULES OF THUMB FOR DANGLING AND MISPLACED MODIFIERS Ms. Simmons December ‘11.](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022072015/56649ed05503460f94bdf11b/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
LET’S PRACTICE!!!
Having encountered this problem many times before, the flat tire was easy for me to fix. Having encountered this problem many times
before, I could fix the flat tire easily. I only have classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
I have classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.