Modifiers (Misplaced & Dangling) | Grammar Usage | English Grammar | Question Banks

Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that describe or limit other elements in a sentence, and they create confusion when improperly placed (misplaced) or left without a clear word to modify (dangling). Eighth-grade instruction should focus on helping students understand that modifiers should be positioned as close as possible to the words they modify, preventing ambiguity and enhancing clarity in complex sentences. Teach students to identify common patterns of misplaced modifiers, such as adverbs separated from the verbs they modify ("She quickly ran to the store" vs. "She ran quickly to the store") and how placement affects meaning and emphasis. Address the more challenging concept of dangling modifiers, where an introductory phrase or clause lacks a logical subject in the main clause ("Walking to school, the rain began to fall"—who was walking?), showing how to revise by supplying an appropriate subject or restructuring the sentence. Implement sentence revision activities where students identify, explain, and correct modifier errors in their own writing and in prepared examples, discussing how the corrections improve clarity and precision. Analyze how published authors use carefully placed modifiers to create vivid, precise imagery and how professional editors ensure modifier clarity in published works, reinforcing the real-world importance of this concept beyond classroom grammar exercises. Connect modifier instruction to revision strategies across genres, emphasizing how proper modifier placement contributes to the precision and sophistication expected in high school and college-level writing.

1. Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.Running quickly, Sarah reached the finish line first.
B.Sarah found a wallet walking through the park.
C.The teacher who graded our papers was impressed by our work.
D.While studying for the test, James realized he needed more notes.

Explanation:

In 'Sarah found a wallet walking through the park,' the modifier 'walking through the park' is misplaced, making it seem like the wallet was walking, not Sarah.

2. Identify the sentence with a dangling modifier:

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.After finishing dinner, the dishes were washed by Tom.
B.After finishing dinner, Tom washed the dishes.
C.When Tom finished dinner, he washed the dishes.
D.The dishes were washed by Tom after he finished dinner.

Explanation:

In 'After finishing dinner, the dishes were washed by Tom,' the modifier 'After finishing dinner' is dangling because it doesn't correctly modify the subject 'dishes'; dishes don't eat dinner.

3. In the sentence 'Barking loudly, the mail carrier approached the dog,' what is the problem?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.Subject-verb agreement error
B.Misplaced modifier
C.Verb tense inconsistency
D.Pronoun reference error

Explanation:

The modifier 'Barking loudly' is misplaced because it suggests that the mail carrier was barking, not the dog.

4. Which sentence correctly places the modifier?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.The teacher explained the assignment to the students that was confusing.
B.The teacher explained the assignment that was confusing to the students.
C.The confusing teacher explained the assignment to the students.
D.To the students, the teacher explained that was the confusing assignment.

Explanation:

The second option correctly places 'that was confusing' next to 'assignment,' making it clear what was confusing.

5. Which sentence contains a squinting modifier?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.The students who studied passed the test.
B.Students taking notes carefully understand the material.
C.The carefully prepared meal was delicious.
D.She quickly finished her homework before dinner.

Explanation:

In 'Students taking notes carefully understand the material,' the modifier 'carefully' could apply to either 'taking notes' or 'understand,' creating ambiguity.

6. Identify the dangling modifier in this sentence: 'Walking to school, the rain started to pour.'

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.Walking to school
B.the rain
C.started to pour
D.There is no dangling modifier

Explanation:

The phrase 'Walking to school' is a dangling modifier because it doesn't logically connect to the subject 'rain.' Rain cannot walk to school.

7. Which revision best corrects the misplaced modifier in this sentence: 'The hiker saw a bear climbing the mountain'?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.Climbing the mountain, the hiker saw a bear.
B.The hiker climbing the mountain saw a bear.
C.The bear saw a hiker climbing the mountain.
D.The climbing hiker saw a bear on the mountain.

Explanation:

Both 'Climbing the mountain, the hiker saw a bear' and 'The hiker climbing the mountain saw a bear' clearly indicate that it was the hiker who was climbing, not the bear.

8. Which sentence uses modifiers correctly?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.Tired and hungry, the refrigerator was raided by the teenagers.
B.The teenagers, tired and hungry, raided the refrigerator.
C.The refrigerator was raided by the teenagers, tired and hungry.
D.Raiding the refrigerator, hungry and tired were the teenagers.

Explanation:

In 'The teenagers, tired and hungry, raided the refrigerator,' the modifiers 'tired and hungry' clearly describe the teenagers, who are the subject of the sentence.

9. What is wrong with the sentence: 'Running late for class, the homework was forgotten'?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.It contains a split infinitive
B.It contains a dangling modifier
C.It contains a comma splice
D.It contains a misplaced adjective

Explanation:

The sentence contains a dangling modifier because 'Running late for class' doesn't logically modify 'homework.' Homework cannot run late for class.

10. Identify the sentence that contains a correctly placed modifier:

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.The candidate promised to lower taxes on the campaign trail.
B.While on the campaign trail, the candidate promised to lower taxes.
C.The taxes were promised to be lowered by the candidate on the campaign trail.
D.Promising on the campaign trail, taxes would be lowered by the candidate.

Explanation:

In 'While on the campaign trail, the candidate promised to lower taxes,' the modifier 'While on the campaign trail' correctly describes where the candidate was when making the promise.

11. The sentence 'Looking out the window, the trees swayed in the breeze' contains a dangling modifier.

TRUE FALSE

True
False

Explanation:

True, this contains a dangling modifier. 'Looking out the window' incorrectly modifies 'trees,' suggesting that the trees were looking out the window, which is illogical.

12. In the sentence 'She served cookies to her friends on paper plates,' the modifier 'on paper plates' is correctly placed.

TRUE FALSE

True
False

Explanation:

False. The modifier 'on paper plates' is misplaced. As written, it suggests that the friends were on paper plates, not the cookies.

13. The sentence 'Walking slowly, the sunset was enjoyed by the couple' contains a grammatical error.

TRUE FALSE

True
False

Explanation:

True. This sentence contains a dangling modifier. 'Walking slowly' doesn't properly modify the subject 'sunset,' as a sunset cannot walk.

14. In the sentence 'The student submitted his essay that was written carefully,' the modifier is correctly placed.

TRUE FALSE

True
False

Explanation:

True. The modifier 'that was written carefully' is correctly placed next to 'essay,' which it modifies.

15. The sentence 'Barely passing the exam, the teacher congratulated the student' contains a misplaced modifier.

TRUE FALSE

True
False

Explanation:

True. The modifier 'Barely passing the exam' incorrectly modifies 'teacher' instead of 'student,' suggesting that the teacher barely passed the exam.

16. In the sentence 'Almost broken, John fixed the vase carefully,' the modifier 'Almost broken' is correctly placed.

TRUE FALSE

True
False

Explanation:

False. The modifier 'Almost broken' appears to modify 'John' instead of 'vase,' suggesting that John was almost broken.

17. The sentence 'The dog was walked by the boy wearing a red collar' contains a misplaced modifier.

TRUE FALSE

True
False

Explanation:

True. The modifier 'wearing a red collar' incorrectly appears to describe 'the boy' when it should describe 'the dog.'

18. In the sentence 'After completing the assignment, the video game was played by Tim,' the modifier is correctly placed.

TRUE FALSE

True
False

Explanation:

False. The modifier 'After completing the assignment' is dangling because it doesn't correctly modify the subject 'video game,' which cannot complete an assignment.

19. Which of the following statements about modifiers are true? Select all that apply.

CHECKBOXES

A.A misplaced modifier is positioned too far from what it modifies.
B.A dangling modifier fails to connect logically to the subject of the sentence.
C.Modifiers can never appear at the beginning of a sentence.
D.Participial phrases often function as modifiers in a sentence.
E.Only adjectives can function as modifiers.

Explanation:

Modifiers can be misplaced (positioned incorrectly) or dangling (not logically connected to a subject). Participial phrases frequently serve as modifiers, and modifiers can appear in various positions in a sentence, including the beginning. Both adjectives and adverbs can function as modifiers.

20. Identify all sentences that contain dangling modifiers:

CHECKBOXES

A.Reading the novel, the main character seemed to come alive.
B.Walking through the forest, the birds sang beautifully.
C.While reading the novel, I felt the main character come alive.
D.Singing loudly, the audience appreciated the performer's talent.
E.The chef, preparing the meal carefully, added the secret ingredient.

Explanation:

Dangling modifiers occur when the introductory phrase doesn't logically connect to the subject. In the correct sentences, the subjects ('I' and 'chef') are logically connected to the modifying phrases.

21. Which situations require a modifier to be revised? Select all that apply.

CHECKBOXES

A.When it creates ambiguity about what is being modified
B.When it is not logically connected to the subject of the sentence
C.When it appears at the beginning of a sentence
D.When it is too far from the word it modifies
E.When it contains a participle

Explanation:

Modifiers need revision when they create ambiguity, lack logical connection to the subject, or are positioned too far from what they modify. Their position in a sentence or use of participles doesn't inherently make them incorrect.

22. Which of these sentences contain correctly placed modifiers? Select all that apply.

CHECKBOXES

A.Exhausted from the long hike, the teenagers collapsed on their beds.
B.The store sold shoes for men with leather soles.
C.Wanting to get a good grade, the essay was revised several times.
D.The chef prepared the dish using fresh ingredients.
E.Reading the instructions carefully, the model was assembled correctly.

Explanation:

Correct placement ensures that modifiers clearly relate to what they're modifying. In the correct sentences, 'Exhausted from the long hike' properly modifies 'teenagers' and 'using fresh ingredients' properly modifies how 'the chef prepared the dish.'

23. Identify the sentence with a misplaced limiting modifier (only, just, nearly, almost):

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.She only lent me five dollars.
B.Only she lent me five dollars.
C.She lent only me five dollars.
D.She lent me only five dollars.

Explanation:

In 'She only lent me five dollars,' the limiting modifier 'only' is misplaced. It suggests she did nothing else but lend money, when the intended meaning is likely that she lent no more than five dollars.

24. Which sentence contains a squinting modifier that creates ambiguity?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.The teacher said on Monday we would have a test.
B.On Monday, the teacher said we would have a test.
C.The teacher said we would have a test on Monday.
D.We would have a test, the teacher said on Monday.

Explanation:

In 'The teacher said on Monday we would have a test,' the modifier 'on Monday' could apply to either when the teacher spoke or when the test will occur, creating ambiguity.

25. Which sentence uses a split infinitive that should be corrected?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.He wanted to quickly finish his homework.
B.She learned to correctly identify misplaced modifiers.
C.The runner plans to hopefully win the race tomorrow.
D.I try to carefully proofread my essays.

Explanation:

While split infinitives (placing words between 'to' and the verb) are generally acceptable in modern English, 'to hopefully win' is problematic because 'hopefully' doesn't modify the verb 'win' but expresses the runner's attitude.

26. In the sentence 'The manager discussed the project with the employees in her office,' what is potentially confusing?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.Who owns the office is unclear
B.Who is managing the project is unclear
C.Whether employees were discussed is unclear
D.There is no confusion in this sentence

Explanation:

The modifier 'in her office' could refer to where the discussion took place or it could suggest that only the employees who work in her office were included in the discussion.

27. What is wrong with this sentence: 'Having finished the assignment, the television was turned on'?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.It contains a misplaced modifier
B.It contains a dangling modifier
C.It uses passive voice incorrectly
D.It has a subject-verb agreement error

Explanation:

The sentence contains a dangling modifier because 'Having finished the assignment' doesn't logically modify 'television.' A television cannot finish an assignment.

28. Identify the sentence with the correctly placed modifier:

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.The girl walked the dog wearing a red sweater.
B.Wearing a red sweater, the girl walked the dog.
C.The dog was walked by the girl wearing a red sweater.
D.The girl wearing the dog walked in a red sweater.

Explanation:

In 'Wearing a red sweater, the girl walked the dog,' the modifier 'Wearing a red sweater' clearly describes the girl, who is the subject of the sentence.

29. Which sentence demonstrates a correctly placed adverb?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.She almost failed every test in the class.
B.She failed almost every test in the class.
C.Almost she failed every test in the class.
D.She failed every test almost in the class.

Explanation:

In 'She failed almost every test in the class,' the adverb 'almost' correctly modifies 'every test,' indicating that she failed most but not all tests.

30. The sentence 'To improve your writing, misplaced modifiers should be avoided' contains what type of error?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.Dangling modifier
B.Misplaced modifier
C.Split infinitive
D.Squinting modifier

Explanation:

This sentence contains a dangling modifier because 'To improve your writing' doesn't logically connect to the subject 'misplaced modifiers.' Misplaced modifiers cannot improve writing; people can.

31. What type of modifier error occurs in this sentence: 'The surgeon performed the operation with skilled hands that took several hours'?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.Dangling modifier
B.Misplaced modifier
C.Squinting modifier
D.Split infinitive

Explanation:

The modifier 'that took several hours' is misplaced because it appears to modify 'skilled hands' when it should modify 'operation.' Hands don't take several hours; operations do.

32. In which sentence is the modifier 'only' correctly placed?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.I only eat vegetables on Mondays.
B.I eat only vegetables on Mondays.
C.I eat vegetables only on Mondays.
D.Only I eat vegetables on Mondays.

Explanation:

In 'I eat only vegetables on Mondays,' the modifier 'only' is correctly placed next to 'vegetables,' indicating that vegetables are the only food eaten. Each placement of 'only' changes the meaning of the sentence.

33. Which of the following best revises the dangling modifier in this sentence: 'While walking in the park, the rain started to fall'?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.While walking in the park, I noticed the rain started to fall.
B.The rain started to fall, while walking in the park.
C.Walking in the park started the rain to fall.
D.The rain, while walking in the park, started to fall.

Explanation:

Adding a subject who was actually doing the walking ('I') fixes the dangling modifier by providing a logical connection between 'walking in the park' and a subject who can perform that action.

34. What is the problem in this sentence: 'Being only thirteen years old, the roller coaster seemed terrifying'?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.Misplaced modifier
B.Dangling modifier
C.Squinting modifier
D.Subject-verb agreement error

Explanation:

This sentence contains a dangling modifier because 'Being only thirteen years old' doesn't logically modify 'roller coaster.' A roller coaster cannot be thirteen years old in the sense intended.

35. Which sentence correctly places the modifier 'thoroughly'?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.Thoroughly the scientist examined the specimen.
B.The scientist thoroughly examined the specimen.
C.The scientist examined thoroughly the specimen.
D.The thoroughly scientist examined the specimen.

Explanation:

In 'The scientist thoroughly examined the specimen,' the adverb 'thoroughly' is correctly placed before the verb 'examined' that it modifies.

36. What is the error in this sentence: 'Driving to work, a deer jumped in front of the car'?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.It contains a dangling modifier
B.It contains a misplaced adjective
C.It contains a subject-verb agreement error
D.It contains a verb tense error

Explanation:

The sentence contains a dangling modifier because 'Driving to work' doesn't logically modify 'deer.' A deer cannot drive to work.

37. What type of error is present in the sentence 'The teacher explained the test to the students that was difficult'?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.Dangling modifier
B.Misplaced modifier
C.Split infinitive
D.Verb tense inconsistency

Explanation:

The modifier 'that was difficult' is misplaced because it's unclear whether the test or explaining to the students was difficult. It should be placed immediately after 'test' if that's what was difficult.

38. The sentence 'After finishing the assignment, my television show was finally watched' contains a dangling modifier.

TRUE FALSE

True
False

Explanation:

True. The modifier 'After finishing the assignment' is dangling because it doesn't connect logically to the subject 'television show.' A show cannot finish an assignment.

39. Which of the following are strategies to fix dangling modifiers? Select all that apply.

CHECKBOXES

A.Add a subject that logically connects to the modifying phrase
B.Revise the main clause to begin with the appropriate subject
C.Convert the modifier to a subordinate clause with its own subject
D.Remove the modifier entirely from the sentence
E.Always place modifiers at the end of a sentence
F.Never use participial phrases as modifiers

Explanation:

Dangling modifiers can be fixed by adding an appropriate subject, revising the main clause, converting to a subordinate clause, or removing the modifier if unnecessary. The position of modifiers doesn't inherently fix dangling issues, and participial phrases can be used correctly as modifiers.

40. Which of these sentences contain misplaced modifiers? Select all that apply.

CHECKBOXES

A.The teacher returned the essays to the students that were graded.
B.He served the sandwiches to the guests on paper plates.
C.The dog chased the cat around the yard that was barking loudly.
D.She bought a sweater for her sister with buttons.
E.The chef carefully prepared the meal using fresh ingredients.

Explanation:

Misplaced modifiers create confusion about what is being modified. In the incorrect sentences, it's unclear what was graded, what was on paper plates, what was barking, and what had buttons.

41. A squinting modifier can create confusion because:

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.It can logically modify either what comes before or after it
B.It uses figurative language that can be misinterpreted
C.It always appears at the beginning of a sentence
D.It contains an infinitive verb form

Explanation:

A squinting modifier creates ambiguity because it can logically modify either the phrase that comes before it or the phrase that comes after it, making the sentence's meaning unclear.

42. What type of modifier error occurs in the sentence 'Barely passing the test, the teacher congratulated the student'?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.Dangling modifier
B.Misplaced modifier
C.Squinting modifier
D.Limiting modifier error

Explanation:

This contains a misplaced modifier because 'Barely passing the test' incorrectly appears to modify 'teacher' rather than 'student,' suggesting that the teacher barely passed the test.

43. Identify the correct placement of the adverb 'nearly' in the following sentences:

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.She nearly answered all the questions correctly.
B.She answered nearly all the questions correctly.
C.She answered all the questions nearly correctly.
D.Nearly she answered all the questions correctly.

Explanation:

In 'She answered nearly all the questions correctly,' the adverb 'nearly' correctly modifies 'all the questions,' indicating she answered most but not all questions.

44. Which sentence correctly uses a participial phrase as a modifier?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

A.Exhausted by the long journey, the bed seemed incredibly comfortable.
B.Having studied all night, the exam was easy for Sarah.
C.Running through the park, James saw a beautiful sunset.
D.Writing the essay, the computer crashed unexpectedly.

Explanation:

In 'Running through the park, James saw a beautiful sunset,' the participial phrase 'Running through the park' correctly modifies 'James,' who is the subject capable of running.

45. Which of the following are examples of dangling modifiers? Select all that apply.

CHECKBOXES

A.To improve your grade, the essay must be revised.
B.Without studying properly, the test will be difficult.
C.After completing the experiment, the results were recorded.
D.Having arrived early, the movie was watched from the beginning.
E.While cooking dinner, the phone rang loudly.

Explanation:

Dangling modifiers occur when the introductory phrase doesn't logically connect to the subject of the main clause. In 'While cooking dinner, the phone rang loudly,' there's no explicit subject, but the structure doesn't create a logical error (unlike the others where objects like essays, tests, results, and movies cannot perform the actions in the modifiers).