Fixing Misplaced Modifiers

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Objective

I can identify and correct misplaced modifiers in sentences.

Part 1 of 4

Warm-up video

The Nature of Writing · 5:46

We don't generate video — this one is by The Nature of Writing on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.

Part 2 of 4

Key concepts

3 concepts

  1. 1

    A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that provides description in a sentence.

  2. 2

    A misplaced modifier is a modifier that is too far from the word it is describing, which can cause confusion.

  3. 3

    To correct misplaced modifiers, move the modifier closer to the word or phrase it is meant to modify, or rearrange the sentence for clarity.

Part 3 of 4

Practice

3 questions

1

Identify the misplaced modifier in the following sentence: 'Covered in mud, the child's mother hosed him off.' Explain why it is misplaced and how you would correct it.

2

Rewrite the following sentence to correct the misplaced modifier: 'I almost ate the entire pizza by myself.' Explain how your revision clarifies the sentence's meaning.

Part 4 of 4

Exit ticket

Quick comprehension check

Identify the misplaced modifier in the following sentence and rewrite the sentence to correct it: 'Covered in chocolate sauce, I ate the ice cream.'

Sample answer included in the free materials

Get the materials

Teacher guide, student handout, and slides — free, in Google Docs format

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