Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers: Fix Funny Sentence Mistakes (Grade 7 and 8 English)

Hi, I'm Luna from DoodleBeez. Did you know a sentence can say something silly by accident? Often the problem is a modifier in the wrong place. Today we will learn to spot and fix modifier mistakes.

A modifier is a word, phrase or clause that describes something. To be clear, a modifier should sit right next to the word it describes. When it drifts away, the meaning can change.

A misplaced modifier is in the wrong spot. Listen. I served cookies to the guests on paper plates. It sounds like the guests are sitting on the plates! Move it. I served the guests cookies on paper plates.

Tiny words like only, almost and just can be misplaced too. She almost ate the whole pizza means she did not eat any. She ate almost the whole pizza means she ate most of it.

A dangling modifier describes someone who is not in the sentence at all. Walking to school, the rain soaked my shoes. Was the rain walking to school? No! The person walking is missing.

To fix a dangling modifier, name the person doing the action. Walking to school, I got my shoes soaked by the rain. Or change the opening. While I was walking to school, the rain soaked my shoes.

Now it's your turn. What is wrong here? Covered in mud, Mom washed the dog. Pause and try. It sounds like Mom is muddy! Fix it this way. Mom washed the dog, which was covered in mud.

Great job! Keep modifiers right next to the words they describe. Move misplaced modifiers, and fix dangling ones by naming who is acting. Practice modifier mistakes in the English Lab at doodlebeez.com. See you next time!