Purdue University Writing Lab Misplaced Modifiers Consider the different meanings in the following sentences: The dog under the tree bit Carrie. vs. The.

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Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

Presentation transcript:

Purdue University Writing Lab Misplaced Modifiers Consider the different meanings in the following sentences: The dog under the tree bit Carrie. vs. The dog bit Carrie under the tree.

Purdue University Writing Lab Misplaced Modifiers Sometimes misplaced modifiers are used for comic effect: The other day I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas I'll never know. -- Groucho Marx

Purdue University Writing Lab How might you correct the following sentence? Jennifer called her adorable kitten opening the can of tuna and filled the food bowl. Better: Opening the can of tuna, Jennifer called her adorable kitten and filled the food bowl.

Purdue University Writing Lab How might you correct the following sentence? Portia rushed to the store loaded with cash to buy the birthday gift. Better: Portia, loaded with cash, rushed to the store to buy the birthday gift.

Purdue University Writing Lab Misplaced Modifiers Some one-word modifiers often cause confusion: almost justnearlysimply even hardlymerelyonly

Purdue University Writing Lab Explain the meaning of each sentence: Almost everyone in the class passed the calculus exam. Everyone in the class almost passed the calculus exam. Which sentence indicates that everyone in the class failed the exam?

Purdue University Writing Lab Explain the meaning of each sentence: John nearly earned $100. John earned nearly $100. Which sentence indicates that John earned some money?

Purdue University Writing Lab Dangling modifiers a word or phrase that modifies another word or phrase that has not been stated clearly within the sentence  often occur at the beginnings and ends of sentences  often indicated by an -ing verb or a to + verb phrase

Purdue University Writing Lab Dangling modifiers Having finished dinner, the football game was turned on. Having finished dinner, Joe turned on the football game.

Purdue University Writing Lab Dangling modifiers can be repaired by:  placing the subject of the modification phrase as the subject of the independent clause: Having finished dinner, Joe turned on the football game.  placing the subject of the action within the dangling phrase: After Joe finished dinner, he turned on the football game.

Purdue University Writing Lab How might you correct the following sentence? Playing solitaire on the computer for three hours, Michael’s paper was not completed. Better: Playing solitaire on the computer for three hours, Michael did not complete his paper. Better: Because Michael played solitaire on the computer for three hours, he did not complete his paper.

Purdue University Writing Lab How might you correct the following sentence? Locked away in the old chest, Richard was surprised by the antique hats. Better: Locked away in the old chest, the antique hats surprised Richard. Better: The antique hats locked away in the old chest surprised Richard.

Activity: Get one of the “Misplaced Modifier” examples from your teacher. Draw a picture of what the sentence might look like if it is taken literally (such as the TV eating dinner in this PowerPoint). Color your drawing. On the back, write a sentence which CORRECTS the misplaced modifier and makes the information clearer to understand. This assignment is for homework if you do not finish it in class.