PUMPED-UP GRAMMAR! WHY BE A NUMBER- CRUNCHER WHEN YOU CAN BE A WORD-INATOR?! Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

Day 1

What is a modifier?  A word, phrase, or clause that describes, limits, or qualifies another word or phrase in a clause or sentence.

Example  People work. (no modifiers—only a subject and a predicate)  Some people with low-paying jobs often work at second jobs on weekends to earn enough money to meet living expenses. (six modifiers adding description and qualification).

An article describes the behavior of skunks in Time magazine.  What’s wrong with the above sentence, and how can it be fixed?

 An article describes the behavior of skunks in Time magazine. modifier  Misplaced modifier: A modifier that is not placed adjacent to the word or phrase to which the modifier refers  Correction: An article in Time magazine describes the behavior of skunks.

 They sold an assortment of exercise equipment for active people with a lifetime guarantee.  What’s wrong with the above sentence, and how can it be fixed?

 For active people, they sold an assortment of exercise equipment with a lifetime guarantee.  What’s wrong with the above sentence, and how can it be fixed?

Grammar Warm-Ups  You have TWO minutes to write ONE sentence that contains a misplaced modifier.  Try to stump the class with a misplaced modifier that’s tricky to fix!

Day 2

 An article describes the behavior of skunks in Time magazine. modifier  Remember the above misplaced modifier?  Correction: An article in Time magazine describes the behavior of skunks.

Listening to the sad news, my eyes filled with tears.  What’s wrong with the above sentence, and how can it be fixed?

 Listening to the sad news, my eyes filled modifier with tears.  Dangling modifier: A modifier that fails to refer logically to any word or phrase in the sentence. (and who wants to get caught with his modifier dangling? Embarrassing...)  Correction: Listening to the sad news, I felt my eyes fill with tears.

 To please the children, some fireworks were set off a day early.  What’s wrong with the above sentence, and how can it be fixed?

 Entering the doctor’s office, a skeleton caught my attention.  What’s wrong with the above sentence, and how can it be fixed?

Grammar Warm-Ups  You have TWO minutes to write ONE sentence that contains a dangling modifier.  Try to stump the class with a dangling modifier that’s tricky to identify!

Day 3

More Modifier Excitement…  You have ONE minute to write ONE sentence that begins with a participle (a verb form ending in ing, like “carrying”). Do not use any proper nouns (like “Jimmy”).

More Modifier Excitement…  Now we will split the class in half. One side of the room will use only the subordinate clause. One side will use only the independent clause.  Find someone on the other side of the room to partner with to create a sentence combining the subordinate and independent clause. Look for misplaced or dangling modifiers. If necessary, correct the sentence.

Day 4

Grammar Warm-Ups  In pairs, take TEN minutes to write a paragraph—as long as possible—containing as many misplaced and/or dangling modifiers as possible. You should have at least 5 sentences.  Count up how many misplaced modifiers you have and how many dangling modifiers you have.  When ten minutes are up, switch with another pair. You have FIVE minutes to rewrite the paragraph with NO modifier errors.