Misplaced Modifiers Parallel Structure

Modifiers A modifier is simply a word, phrase, or clause that adds description in a sentence. Modifiers need to be placed CLOSE to the word they describe. Dangling modifier- Introductory clause that describes the subject, but the subject is not named after comma

Misplaced Modifier Examples INCORRECT- An elementary school teacher from Arkansas, increased funding and support for public libraries were what Bessie Boehm Moore advocated for. An elementary school teacher from Arkansas, Bessie Boehm Moore advocated for increased funding and support for libraries.

Watch out for Possessives! Incorrect- An elementary school teacher from Arkansas, Bessie Boehm Moore’s goal was to achieve increased funding and support for libraries. An elementary school teacher from Arkansas, Bessie Boehm Moore had the goal of achieving increased funding and support for public libraries.

Another Example Incorrect- Born in a small town in Missouri, the majority of singer and actress Josephine Baker’s career was spent performing throughout Europe. Born in a small town in Missouri, singer and actress Josephine Baker spent the majority of her career performing throughout Europe.

Third Example Incorrect- Stretching from one end of the city to the other, the efficiency of Frankfurt’s train system often surprises both tourists and city residents. Stretching from one end of the city to the other, Frankfurt’s train system often surprises both tourists and city residents with its efficiency.

Misplaced Modifiers I saw the dead dog driving down the highway. He wore a straw hat on his head, which was obviously too small. She carefully studied the Picasso hanging in the art gallery with her friend. He held the umbrella over Janet’s head that he got from Delta Airlines.

ACT Example Claude McKay was one of the most important poets of the Harlem Renaissance that moved to New York after studying agronomy in Kansas. Modifiers need to be CLOSE to the word(s) they modify! The Harlem Renaissance moved to New York?

Corrected Versions One of the most important poets of the Harlem Renaissance, Claude McKay moved to New York after studying agronomy in Kansas. Claude McKay, one of the most important poets of the Harlem Renaissance, moved to New York after studying agronomy in Kansas. Claude McKay was one of the most important poets of the Harlem Renaissance; he moved to New York City after studying agronomy in Kansas.

ACT STYLE Pigeons have long played an important role as messengers due to their homing ability, speed, and altitude. During the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, the French military used pigeons to transport messengers to Paris, a time when the city was surrounded by Prussian troops What is wrong with this sentence? Look at what comes after the COMMA before Paris

Answer Pigeons have long played an important role as messengers due to their homing ability, speed, and altitude. Pigeons were used to transport messages to Paris during the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, a time when the city was surrounded by Prussian troops.

ACT Style One of the most important African American poets in the 1920s was Claude McKay, who moved to New York City after studying agronomy in Kansas. The underlined phrase could be placed in all of the following EXCEPT A- The beginning of the sentence (capitalize “In” and comma after 1920s) B- After the word “who” C- After the word “important’ D- After the words “New York City”

Parallel Structure When introducing a list of three or more items, each item should be introduced in the same format. Noun, noun, noun Adjective, adjective, adjective Verb, verb, verb Infinitive, infinitive, infinitive Gerund, gerund, gerund Preposition, preposition, preposition

Parallel Structure He wanted three things out of college: to learn a skill, to make good friends, and to learn about life. He wanted three things out of college: to learn a skill, to make good friends, and learning about life.

Example 2 Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and a wise friend. Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and friend.

Example 3 There's nothing I like better than finding a good trout stream, setting up camp, and spending a couple of days fishing. There's nothing I like better than finding a good trout stream, setting up camp, and to spend a couple of days fishing.

Example 4 Denzel’s GPA is higher than Marcus. Denzel’s GPA is higher than Marcus’.

ACT Example Changes in the wind circulation patterns, runoff from sewage, and they accumulate chemical fertilizers can lead to the creation of ocean waters low in oxygen and inhospitable to marine life. A. No change B. accumulating C- to accumulate D- accumulation of

ACT Example Because they have a highly developed sense of vision, most lizards communicate by using clear body language, to change their colors, and displaying their athletic abilities. A. No change B. they change C. will change D. changing

“And” or “or” before last item Changes in wind circulation patterns, runoff from sewage, the use of chemical fertilizers can lead to the creation of ocean waters low in oxygen and inhospitable to marine life. AND THE USE OF