Danger! Misused Modifiers! Excuse me, but your modifier is dangling!

What is This Thing Called “MODIFIER”? Modifiers are words, phrases, and clauses which change other words, phrases, or clauses (Modifiers modify!) A modifier quantifies, limits, qualifies, and specifies. –Example- The blue cat chased three mice quickly. Think “adjectives” and “adverbs” and “prepositions.” Modifiers are like spices; without them, writing is blander than plain porridge.

How do we misuse them? Sometimes, modifiers aren’t placed in the sentence appropriately; they then become misplaced. or dangling

Then Chaos Ensues!  Firstly, how did the elephant manage to fit into your pajamas?  Secondly, did the elephant look good in them?  Thirdly, was the elephant wearing your slippers as well?

What’s wrong with this picture? 1.What’s wrong with this picture? 2.What’s wrong with this sentence? 3.How can we re-write it correctly? The bushes were frightening, walking down the moonlit path.

What’s wrong with this picture? Q: What’s wrong with this picture? A: The bushes aren’t actually running around, frightening the person…the person was actually frightened. Q: What’s wrong with this sentence? A: The sentence has a a misplaced modifier. Q: How can we re-write it correctly? A: Place the subject closer to its modifier: “As I was walking down the moonlit path, the bushes were frightening.” The bushes were frightening, walking down the moonlit path.

How to “Undangle” Those Modifiers Read the sentence. Locate the verb. Locate the subject. Locate the modifiers. Draw an arrow from each modifier to the closest noun around it. Does it make sense? If not, revise it.

Read the sentence. Locate the verb. Locate the subject. Locate the modifiers. Draw an arrow from each modifier to the closest noun around it. Does it make sense? If not, revise it.

Guided Questions Q: What’s wrong with this picture? A: Margaret isn’t taped to the wall…the note is. Q: What’s wrong with this sentence? A: The sentence has a a misplaced modifier. Q: How can we re-write it correctly? A: “Place the subject closer to its modifier: The note taped to the wall was read by Margaret.”

RULES OF THUMB FOR DANGLING AND MISPLACED MODIFIERS

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?

CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING What are dangling modifiers? Words or phrases that dangle because they have no word in the sentence to describe

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?

Revise Misplaced Modifiers by placing the modifier next to its headword: I speak only one language.

Directions: revise the misplaced modifiers on the left side of the organizer by first identifying the subject and its modifier (in red) then placing both next to each other in the sentence. Dangling Modifier Sentence Modifier (phrase doing the describing) Noun (the correct person, place, or thing being described) Revised Sentence Ex: Slathered in onions and relish, I ate my favorite sandwich. Slathered in onions… sandwich Slathered in onions and relish, the sandwich I ate was my favorite. The dog ate the food with the brown fur. …with the brown fur. dog ____________ The woman driving the car wearing a bikini sped through town. ____________ ____________ ____________

Funny Misplaced Modifiers Directions: Choose one sentence below to illustrate in the form of a 1- scene comic strip. 1.He served pancakes to the children on paper plates. 2.I saw a rabbit and a raccoon on the way to the airport. 3.He nearly brushed his teeth for ten minutes every night. 4.Having been thrown in the air, the dog caught the stick. 5.Smashed flat by a passing truck, Big Dog sniffed at what was left of a half-eaten hamburger. 6.Sam screamed at the barking dog in his underwear. 7.Jeff bought an old jeep from a crooked dealer with a faulty transmission. 8.You are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous Russian composers, artists, and writers are buried daily, except on Thursdays. 9.For those who have children and don’t know it, there is a daycare on the first floor. 10.Pizza was given to the teenagers that had pepperoni and olives on them.

Funny Illustration (include dialogue bubbles) Sam screamed at the barking dog in his underwear.” Revise Misplaced Modifier In his underwear, Sam screamed at the barking dog. Misplaced Modifier Comic Strip Directions: Choose one of the examples of misplaced modifiers provided and illustrate it in the first box. In the last box you will revise your sentence and draw an arrow from the modifier to the subject it describes.

Ticket Out the Door Answer today’s Essential Question: Where do we typically find modifiers in a sentence?