1. Modifier Missteps
Words, phrases, or clauses that give more information about or describe other words

2. When is the grammar test?
May 10 and 11

3. Misplaced Modifiers
Place the modifying word/phrase/clause (what describes the subject) as close as possible to the word or words you want to modify (add description to)
Example:
Misplaced: Undaunted, the storm did not prevent the crew from setting sail as planned.
Correct: The storm did not prevent the undaunted crew from setting sail as planned.

4. More examples..
Misplaced: They were delighted to see a field of daffodils climbing up the hill.
Correct: Climbing up the hill, they were delighted to see a field of daffodils.
Misplaced: Uncle Carmine saw a deer bounding across a meadow on his way to work.
Correct: On his way to work, Uncle Carmine saw a deer bounding across a meadow.

5. Squinting Modifiers
When a modifier could apply to two different words.
Example
Misplaced: The prime minister said yesterday her opponent spoke honestly.
Did the prime minister speak yesterday or did her opponent?
Correct: Yesterday, the prime minister said her opponent spoke honestly.
Also correct: The prime minister said her opponent spoke honestly yesterday.

6. Practice
P. 714 Exercise #1 #1-5

7. Dangling Modifiers
When a modifier does not clearly and sensibly modify anything.
Example
Dangling: Determined, Christy Haubeggar’s plan was to publish a bilingual magazine for Hispanic women.
Was the plan determined?
Correct: Determined, Christy Haubeggar planned to publish a bilingual magazine for Hispanic women.
Also correct: Christy Haubeggar was determined to publish a bilingual magazine for Hispanic women.

8. Another example…
Dangling: After researching the African American oral tradition in Florida, the book Mules and Men was written.
Who was researching?
Correct: After researching the African American oral tradition in Florida, Zora Neale Hurston wrote the book Mules and Men.
Also correct: After Zora Neale Hurston researched the African American oral tradition in Florida, she wrote the book Mules and Men.

9. Practice
P. 715 Exercise 2 #1-5