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NAME
Language
Handbook
CLASS
DATE
5 Using Modifiers
WORKSHEET 5
Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers
Exercise A Each of the following sentences contains a misplaced phrase. Circle each
misplaced phrase. Then, use an arrow to indicate where the phrase should be placed.
EXAMPLE
1. Sonya saw a deer walking home from school.
1. Eating fish in the river, the couple on the bench saw three otters.
2. On top of the desk, my brother dropped his books.
3. Dogs lunged at the snake barking wildly.
4. Covered with Egyptian hieroglyphics, the scientists were puzzled by the vase.
5. The car caught Daniel’s attention painted a deep purple.
Exercise B Each of the following sentences contains a dangling phrase. On the line
provided, rewrite each sentence so that it is clear. [Hint: You will need to add, delete, or
rearrange some words.]
EXAMPLE
1. Standing on the dock, the ship came into view.
As we were standing on the dock, the ship came into view.
1. Finished with the painting, a new project was begun immediately.
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2. Properly prepared, survival is possible in almost any situation.
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© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
3. Calling for a vote, a show of hands settled the matter.
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4. Cleaning my room, my pet Chihuahua crawled under the bed.
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5. Having sighted the whales, a hundred cameras clicked for two full minutes.
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Continued
Using Modifiers
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5 Worksheet 5
DATE
(continued)
Exercise C Most of the following sentences contain a misplaced or a dangling
modifier. First, identify the misplaced or dangling modifier. Then, on the line provided,
revise each sentence so that it is clear and correct. If a sentence is already correct, write C.
EXAMPLE
1. Saved for a rainy day, the sugar bowl was full of quarters.
The sugar bowl was full of quarters that had been saved for a rainy day.
1. Having completed the first section of the driver’s permit test, only ten questions
remained.____________________________________________________________________
2. Blooming abundantly, their fence was covered with morning glories.________________
3. Derek received high marks from the judges, playing a flawless cornet solo. __________
4. Having been to Egypt, the museum’s exhibit was especially interesting to Tina. ______
5. While jogging, they found a watch where someone had dropped it. ________________
6. Although tired from hiking, five more miles of trail remained. ______________________
7. Surprised by the election results, no celebration had been planned. __________________
9. Before starting research, a topic should be limited. __________________________________
10. When planting a tree, buried cables and water lines must be avoided. ________________
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8. I stared up at the clouds waiting in the doorway. ________________________________
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NAME
Language
Handbook
CLASS
DATE
5 Using Modifiers
WORKSHEET 6
Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers
Exercise A Each of the following sentences contains a misplaced clause. Circle each
misplaced clause. Then, draw an arrow to show where the misplaced clause belongs.
EXAMPLE
1. Bitter winds swept the coast that blew in from the North.
1. The owl swooped down on a mouse, which had a two-foot wingspan.
2. Brightly wrapped boxes lined the hall that had yet to be opened.
3. Her cabinet had been made in the eighteenth century, which was quite valuable.
4. The musicians will be signing autographs that played at the concert.
5. My mother talked to her dog, who was combing her hair.
6. Australians protect their koalas whose distinctive speech is instantly recognizable.
7. Helicopters flew over the houses that were used on training missions for pilots.
8. The load put too much weight on the axle, which was over three thousand pounds.
9. Dust swirled around the fort that had blown in from the plains.
10. Flowers sprang up around the cabin that included every color in the rainbow.
Exercise B Most of the following sentences contain a misplaced clause. First,
identify the misplaced clause. Then, on the line provided, revise the sentence. If a
sentence is correct, write C.
EXAMPLE
1. The golf ball lay in the sand trap that Mr. Lawrence had hit.
The golf ball that Mr. Lawrence had hit lay in the sand trap.
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1. Angela leaned down and picked up the baby, who had just returned from aerobics class.
2. Signs hung on the walls near the water fountain that announced the sale of Girl Scout
cookies.
3. The car raced around the track, which had recently been refueled at a pit stop.
4. Libya borders the Mediterranean Sea, whose capital is Tripoli.
5. When they went to the bay to go fishing, the children saw raccoons.
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DATE
5 Using Modifiers
WORKSHEET 7
Correcting Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers
Exercise A Each of the following sentences does not make sense because a
modifying phrase is in the wrong place. Underline each misplaced phrase. Then, draw
an arrow to show where the phrase belongs.
EXAMPLE
1. Marvella served cold milk to the guests in mugs.
1. The explorers hiked all day in the valley wearing rain gear.
2. Mr. Jefferson lectured about bridge construction in the auditorium.
3. Sara could smell her mother’s delicious enchiladas in the oven on the porch.
4. Veniece told Shani about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life in the library.
5. They built a house for the Sánchez family with three chimneys.
On the lines provided, rewrite the following sentences by placing the
modifying phrases or clauses where they belong.
Exercise B
EXAMPLE
1. With fish from a bucket for their behavior, the animal trainer
rewarded the dolphins.
With fish from a bucket, the animal trainer rewarded the dolphins
for their behavior.
1. Jaime took the bag to the recycle center with empty aluminum cans.
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2. The security guard turned the power off on duty at the Kitami Computer Center.
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3. Harriet by her enthusiasm for cycling is often carried away.
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4. Murals of Cretan people graced the ancient walls, who lived long ago.
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5. We watched the goose fly over the trees whose wing had finally healed.
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