Modifiers/Parallel Structure/Comma Splices

Modifiers

100

Find the modifiers in this sentence: Michael lifted the heavy box containing supplies.

Michael lifted the (heavy) box (containing supplies).

200

What is the modifier in this sentence? This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

This is the beginning of a (beautiful) friendship.

300

What is the modifier in this sentence? Sylvia bakes delicious cakes.

Sylvia bakes (delicious) cakes.

400

What are the modifiers in this sentence? The waiter placed the blueberry pancakes on the wooden table.

The waiter placed the (blueberry pancakes) on the (wooden) table.

500

Identify the modifiers in this sentence: The yellow blocks were arranged in a straight line.

The (yellow) blocks were arranged in a (straight) line.

Dangling Modifiers

100

Fix the dangling modifier: Lying in the corner of the room, Daphne found her dirty laundry.

Correct revision: Daphne found her dirty laundry lying in the corner of the room.

200

Fix the dangling modifier: Hoping to excuse my lateness, the note was written and given to my teacher.

Correct revision: Hoping to excuse my lateness, I wrote a note and gave it to my teacher.

300

Fix the dangling modifier: Hungry, the pizza was devoured.

Correct revision: Hungry, we devoured the pizza.

400

Fix the dangling modifier: Rummaging through her handbag, the license was not found.

Correct Revision: Rummaging through her handbag, Lisa could not find her license.

500

Fix the dangling modifier: With a sigh of disappointment, the dress was returned to the store.

Correct revision: With a sigh of disappointment, Naomi returned the dress to the store.

Parallel Structure

100

I am allergic to the dog’s hair and how it smells

I am allergic to the dog’s hair and its smell.

OR

I am allergic to the dog's hair and the dog's smell

200

The class valued respect, honesty, and being on time in a teacher.

The class valued respect, honesty, and promptness in a teacher. 

300

James enjoys reading more than to write.

James enjoys reading more than writing

400

Ethan is excited about inviting his friends over, eating a good meal, and card games.

Ethan is excited about inviting his friends over, eating a good meal, and playing card games. 

500

The little girl liked eating cookies better than to stay at her grandmother’s house. Pancakes dripping with syrup, coffee steaming in big mugs, and fried bacon on the stove make breakfast at Grandma’s house a real treat.

Staying and bacon frying

Misplaced Modifiers

100

Fix the misplaced modifier: I ate only vegetables.

Revision: I only ate vegetables.

200

Correct the misplaced modifier: The police officer shot the robber seeing a knife.

Revision: The police officer, seeing a knife, shot the robber.

300

Fix the misplaced modifier: The jacket was just too small in the store.

Revision: The jacket in the store was just too small.

400

Fix the misplaced modifier: She served cookies to the children on paper plates.

Revision: She served the children cookies on paper plates.

500

Fix the misplaced modifier: Alex saw a puppy on the way to the store.

Revision: On her way to the store, Alex saw a puppy.

Comma Splices

100

True or false: Comma splices are two independent clauses joined ONLY by a comma (there is not a conjunction)

True

200

Define Comma Splices

Occur when writers combine two (or more) complete thoughts (independent clauses) incorrectly.

300

How do you fix a comma splice?

Add in a conjunction to the sentence OR change the comma to a semicolon (or a period would also work)

400

Fix the following Comma Splice: After the sixth inning, I went home, my family stayed.

After the sixth inning, I went home. My family stayed.

OR

After the sixth inning, I went home, but my family stayed. 

500

How do you AVOID comma splices?

When using a comma, pay attention to the clauses you are connecting.