Misplaced Modifiers - English Language - Lecture Slides, Slides of English Language

Download Misplaced Modifiers - English Language - Lecture Slides and more Slides English Language in PDF only on Docsity!

Misplaced Modifiers,

Or words in the wrong place

“Life is a promise; fulfill it.” Mother Theresa

To begin with,

can anyone define modifier?

• A modifier is a word or phrase that describes something.
• There are two types of modifiers in the English language.
• Adverbs-describe verbs
• Adjective-describe nouns

Example of misplaced modifier

• The tall man sat under the palm tree with the suntan.
• If you read this sentence quickly, it seems to make sense; but when you read it slowly, you might ask yourself, can a palm tree have a suntan? The answer is no, of course.
• This is an example of a misplaced modifier. The modifier is in the wrong place and makes the sentence confusing. Remember the modifier should always come close to what it modifies.

Consider this example:

• The lady with three legs bought a piano.
• To correct follow these steps.
• One, find the modifier.
• Two, check if it makes sense where it is
• Three, if it seems to be misplaced, find it’s true place.

I think you now have a better idea of what is a misplaced modifier. Let’s practice. Remember the three steps.

• I saw a mouse going to our class meeting.
• Flying around the room, I saw two mockingbirds.
• Climbing a tree the other day, I saw a monkey at the zoo.
• I bought a puppy for my brother with a cute little tail.
• A cow is wanted by a farmer weighing about 1500 pounds.

Corrections:

• Going to our class meeting, I saw a mouse.
• I saw a mouse going to our class meeting.
• I saw two mockingbirds flying around the room. Flying around the room, I saw two mockingbirds.
• The other day I saw a monkey climbing a tree at the zoo. Climbing a tree the other day, I saw a monkey at the zoo.
• I bought a puppy with a cute little tail for my brother. I bought a puppy for my brother with a cute little tail.
• A cow weighing about 1500 pounds is wanted by a farmer. A cow is wanted by a farmer weighing about 1500 pounds.

Corrections:

• I returned the kitty which had been missing for a couple of days to my Mom.
• Wearing my Hawaiian shirt and shorts,I relaxed on the mat.
• I replaced a tile that was loose on the floor.
• While singing a beautiful melody, I was bathing my.
• Without any shoes on, Jerry stepped on the snake.
• I bought the used television with a broken antennae from a friend.

Assignment:

• Carlos returned the hot dog to the Circle K that was rotten.
• I love the donuts from HEB with the vanilla frosting.
• My cousin told me how to get to her business in a telegram.
• Alex visited the hospital, still worn out from all the work.
• The woman by the pool with the bright T- shirt always drank water.