Definitions
Any word, phrase, and/or clause that acts as an adjective or adverb is called a _____
modifier
Which words need to be swapped?
The cheap school's chairs are about to break.
school's, cheap
"The school's cheap chairs are about to break."
What is the dangling modifier?
Leaving quickly, my keys were forgotten.
Leaving quickly
"Leaving quickly, I forgot my keys."
Which word is an unclear (squinting) modifier?
Changing the oil occasionally helps a car run better.
occasionally
(It could mean "Occasionally changing the oil" or "occasionally helping a car run better.")
A modifier that is placed near the wrong noun or pronoun is called a _____
misplaced modifier
Which words need to be swapped?
The broken man's television set was beyond repair.
broken, man's
"The man's broken television set was beyond repair."
What is the dangling modifier?
Running down the street, his leg was broken.
Running down the street
"Running down the street, he broke his leg."
Which word is an unclear (squinting) modifier?
Students who study often receive good grades.
often
(It could mean "Often, students who study receive good grades." or "Students who receive good grades study often.")
A modifier that modifies a word or phrase that does not exist in the sentence is called a ______
dangling modifier
Which words need to be moved?
He let the hot cup of coffee before drinking anything at all cool on the office table.
Before drinking anything at all
"Before drinking anything at all, he let the cup of hot coffee cool on the office table."
What is the dangling modifier?
While playing in the soccer game, the ball went out of bounds.
While playing in the soccer game
"While playing in the soccer game" describes someone who is not mentioned.
Which word is an unclear (squinting) modifier?
Doctors who make mistakes rarely receive awards.
rarely
(It could mean they rarely make mistakes or they rarely get awards.)
A modifier that may modify either the word(s) before or after the modifier (which leads to confusion and a sentence that could mean two things) is called a _____
squinting modifier
Which words are misplaced?
The man standing next to a tree on a cell phone looked upset.
on a cell phone
"The man on a cell phone standing next to a tree looked upset."
What is the dangling modifier?
Running after the robber, the rain caused him to slip.
Running after the robber
"Running after the robber, he slipped because of the rain."
Which word is an unclear (squinting) modifier?
I believe working efficiently reduces stress.
efficiently
(It could mean working efficiently or reducing stress efficiently.)