A modifier describes, clarifies, or gives more detail about a concept. A modifier must always have a word it is modifying. If a modifier is DANGLING, it means there is no obvious word to which the modifier can be clearly and logically related. If a modifier is MISPLACED in the sentence, it can cause confusion.

Only I heard John shouting at the boys. I only heard John shouting at the boys. I heard only John shouting at the boys. I heard John only shouting at the boys. I heard John shouting at the boys only.

Incorrect: Having finished the assignment, the TV was turned on. Correct: Having finished the assignment, Jill turned on the TV.

Incorrect: When pulling out of the driveway, the hedge blocked the view of oncoming traffic. Correct: When pulling out of the driveway, Tracy found that the hedge blocked her view of oncoming traffic.

Incorrect: At the recent track meet, Ralph almost jumped six feet. Correct: At the recent track meet, Ralph jumped almost six feet.

Incorrect: She put the sacks of groceries on the kitchen counter that she had brought in from the car. Correct: She put the sacks of groceries that she had brought in from the car on the kitchen counter.

Incorrect: The girl who had been dancing gracefully entered the room. Correct: The girl who had been gracefully dancing entered the room. OR The girl who had been dancing entered the room gracefully.

Mark scored poorly A on the test, which B is not surprising since C he did not prepare adequately D. No error. E

Correct Answer: B Explanation: Which is incorrect here because the “is not surprising” does not refer to the word in front of the which.

I have nearly A written all the new tests for B inclusion in the revised edition of my book, and hope to finish C the work within D a week. No error E.

Correct Answer: A Explanation: Misplaced part: put nearly in front of all.

After working for two hours, the essay started to take shape, and he began to hope that he might finish before the deadline. A.After working for two hours, the essay started to take shape, and he began to hope B.When the essay started to take shape after he had worked on it for two hours, he began to hope C.When the essay started to take shape after he had worked on it for two hours, he begun to hope D.When the essay started to take shape after working on it for two hours, he began to hope E.After working for two hours, the student's essay started to take shape, and he began to hope

After working for two hours, the essay started to take shape, and he began to hope that he might finish before the deadline. A.After working for two hours, the essay started to take shape, and he began to hope B.When the essay started to take shape after he had worked on it for two hours, he began to hope C.When the essay started to take shape after he had worked on it for two hours, he begun to hope D.When the essay started to take shape after working on it for two hours, he began to hope E.After working for two hours, the student's essay started to take shape, and he began to hope Correct Answer: B Explanation: Answers A and E start with a dangling modifier. Answer C uses begun instead of began and D is unclear because we do not know who is working.

The rhododendron, which A ornaments so many B English gardens, is C not native to D Europe. No error E.

Correct Answer: E Explanation: No error.

On Discovery channel last night they showed an informative program about new innovations in medical imaging, which you would have found interesting. A.they showed an informative program about new innovations in medical imaging, which you would have found interesting. B.they showed an informative program about innovations in medical imaging, which you would have found interesting. C.they showed an informative program about innovations in medical imaging, that you would have found interesting. D.there was an informative program about new innovations in medical imaging, that you would have found interesting. E.there was an informative program about innovations in medical imaging, a program you would have found interesting.

On Discovery channel last night they showed an informative program about new innovations in medical imaging, which you would have found interesting. A.they showed an informative program about new innovations in medical imaging, which you would have found interesting. B.they showed an informative program about innovations in medical imaging, which you would have found interesting. C.they showed an informative program about innovations in medical imaging, that you would have found interesting. D.there was an informative program about new innovations in medical imaging, that you would have found interesting. E.there was an informative program about innovations in medical imaging, a program you would have found interesting. Correct Answer: E Explanation: They is incorrect when talking of the television channel. New is redundant. And which must have a clear antecedent. Only answer E corrects all these problems.

Shipwrecked A on a desert island, coconuts and other B fruits formed C the basis of the sailor’s D diet. No error E.

Correct Answer: A Explanation: This is an example of a dangling modifier. It implies that coconuts were shipwrecked. To correct the sentence you could change Shipwrecked to “When he was shipwrecked”.

In the engineering sector at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which makes it difficult for we recent graduates to get started on our careers. A.at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which makes it difficult for we B.at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which makes it difficult for us C.there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, a fact that makes it difficult for us D.there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, which makes it difficult for us E.there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, a fact which makes it difficult for we

In the engineering sector at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which makes it difficult for we recent graduates to get started on our careers. A.at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which makes it difficult for we B.at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which makes it difficult for us C.there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, a fact that makes it difficult for us D.there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, which makes it difficult for us E.there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, a fact which makes it difficult for we Correct Answer: C Explanation: The object us is required after the preposition for. Which requires a clear antecedent. Only C corrects both problems.

The company president has taken A steps to ensure that she B can handle the pressure and anxiety associated with C the job, including D joining a yoga class and enlisting the support of a network of friends. No error E.

Correct Answer: D Explanation: Misplaced modifier. Including seems to refer to job when it should refer to steps.