E-FF.1 Misplaced modifiers with pictures
Key Notes:
A modifier is a word or phrase that modifies, or describes, another word or phrase. When a modifier seems to describe something other than what’s intended, the resulting sentence can suggest a confusing or even nonsensical meaning.A misplaced modifier is a modifier that appears to modify the wrong word or phrase because it is too far from the word or phrase that it should modify.
Winston saw hippos and giraffes on holiday in Kenya.
This sentence has a misplaced modifier. It suggests that the hippos and giraffes were on holiday.
On holiday in Kenya, Winston saw hippos and giraffes.
This sentence suggests that Winston was on holiday.A dangling modifier is a modifier that appears to modify the wrong word or phrase because the word or phrase that it should modify is missing from the sentence.
Trying to fall asleep, the sheets felt uncomfortably hot.
This sentence has a dangling modifier. It suggests that the sheets were trying to fall asleep.
Trying to fall asleep, I felt uncomfortably hot in the sheets.
This sentence includes the noun that the modifier is intended to describe. It suggests that I was trying to fall asleep.
Learn with an example
Which sentence better matches the image?
- Taped to the classroom door, Mr Olsen discovered one of his students’ essays.
- Mr Olsen discovered one of his students’ essays taped to the classroom door.
The first sentence matches the image. Because the modifier taped to the classroom door is adjacent to Mr Olsen, this sentence suggests that Mr Olsen was taped to the classroom door.
Taped to the classroom door, Mr Olsen discovered one of his students’ essays.
In the second sentence, taped to the classroom door modifies one of his students’ essays.
Mr Olsen discovered one of his students’ essays taped to the classroom door.
This sentence does not match the image. Instead, it suggests that the essay was taped to the classroom door.
Which sentence better matches the image?
- Susan caught a monarch butterfly using a butterfly net and showed it to her brother.
- Using a butterfly net, Susan caught a monarch butterfly and showed it to her brother.
The first sentence matches the image. Because the modifier using a butterfly net is adjacent to a monarch butterfly, this sentence suggests that the butterfly was using a butterfly net.
Susan caught a monarch butterfly using a butterfly net and showed it to her brother.
In the second sentence, using a butterfly net modifies Susan.
Using a butterfly net, Susan caught a monarch butterfly and showed it to her brother.
This sentence does not match the image. Instead, it suggests that Susan was using a butterfly net.
Which sentence better matches the image?
- Hiking up the mountain trail, one can hear birds chirping cheerfully.
- Hiking up the mountain trail, birds can be heard chirping cheerfully.
The second sentence matches the image. Because the modifier hiking up the mountain trail is adjacent to birds, this sentence suggests that birds are hiking up the mountain trail.
Hiking up the mountain trail, birds can be heard chirping cheerfully.
In the first sentence, hiking up the mountain trail modifies one.
Hiking up the mountain trail, one can hear birds chirping cheerfully.
This sentence does not match the image. Instead, it suggests that a person is hiking up the mountain trail.
let’s practice!
