Modifiers - ACT English
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What is a modifier in English grammar?
What is a modifier in English grammar?
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A word or phrase that describes another word or phrase. Provides descriptive information about other parts of speech.
A word or phrase that describes another word or phrase. Provides descriptive information about other parts of speech.
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What is a dangling modifier?
What is a dangling modifier?
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A modifier with no clear word to modify. No logical subject exists for the modifier to describe.
A modifier with no clear word to modify. No logical subject exists for the modifier to describe.
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What question does an adverb answer about a verb?
What question does an adverb answer about a verb?
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How, when, where, or why. Adverbs describe manner, time, place, or reason.
How, when, where, or why. Adverbs describe manner, time, place, or reason.
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What type of phrase is 'to win the race' in 'He hopes to win the race'?
What type of phrase is 'to win the race' in 'He hopes to win the race'?
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Infinitive phrase. Verbal phrase beginning with 'to'.
Infinitive phrase. Verbal phrase beginning with 'to'.
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Find the participial phrase: 'Running through the park, she smiled.'
Find the participial phrase: 'Running through the park, she smiled.'
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Running through the park. Present participle phrase modifying 'she'.
Running through the park. Present participle phrase modifying 'she'.
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Identify the adverb: 'She sings beautifully.'
Identify the adverb: 'She sings beautifully.'
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Beautifully. Modifies the verb 'sings' by describing how.
Beautifully. Modifies the verb 'sings' by describing how.
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Find the error: 'The man who won the lottery, bought a new car.'
Find the error: 'The man who won the lottery, bought a new car.'
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Remove the comma after 'lottery'. Essential clause shouldn't be set off with commas.
Remove the comma after 'lottery'. Essential clause shouldn't be set off with commas.
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What does a relative clause modify?
What does a relative clause modify?
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It modifies a noun. Relative clauses function as adjectives modifying nouns.
It modifies a noun. Relative clauses function as adjectives modifying nouns.
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What type of phrase is 'to win the race' in 'He hopes to win the race'?
What type of phrase is 'to win the race' in 'He hopes to win the race'?
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Infinitive phrase. Verbal phrase beginning with 'to'.
Infinitive phrase. Verbal phrase beginning with 'to'.
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Correct the squinting modifier: 'Running quickly improves health.'
Correct the squinting modifier: 'Running quickly improves health.'
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Quickly running improves health. Clarifies that 'quickly' modifies 'running', not 'improves'.
Quickly running improves health. Clarifies that 'quickly' modifies 'running', not 'improves'.
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What question does an adverb answer about a verb?
What question does an adverb answer about a verb?
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How, when, where, or why. Adverbs describe manner, time, place, or reason.
How, when, where, or why. Adverbs describe manner, time, place, or reason.
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Correct the error: 'Reading the book, the lights went out.'
Correct the error: 'Reading the book, the lights went out.'
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While I was reading the book, the lights went out. Provides clear subject for the participial phrase.
While I was reading the book, the lights went out. Provides clear subject for the participial phrase.
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What is the function of 'quickly' in 'She quickly left'?
What is the function of 'quickly' in 'She quickly left'?
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Modifies the verb 'left'. Adverb describing the manner of leaving.
Modifies the verb 'left'. Adverb describing the manner of leaving.
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What type of modifier error is present in: 'He barely just made it.'?
What type of modifier error is present in: 'He barely just made it.'?
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Redundant modifiers. 'Barely' and 'just' express similar meanings unnecessarily.
Redundant modifiers. 'Barely' and 'just' express similar meanings unnecessarily.
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Identify the cumulative modifiers: 'A long, winding, dusty road.'
Identify the cumulative modifiers: 'A long, winding, dusty road.'
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Long, winding, dusty. Three adjectives modify 'road' cumulatively.
Long, winding, dusty. Three adjectives modify 'road' cumulatively.
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Correct the error: 'He promised to quickly finish the job.'
Correct the error: 'He promised to quickly finish the job.'
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He promised to finish the job quickly. Avoids splitting the infinitive with adverb.
He promised to finish the job quickly. Avoids splitting the infinitive with adverb.
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Identify the infinitive phrase: 'She wants to travel the world.'
Identify the infinitive phrase: 'She wants to travel the world.'
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To travel the world. Functions as direct object of 'wants'.
To travel the world. Functions as direct object of 'wants'.
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What is the function of 'surprisingly' in 'Surprisingly, he won'?
What is the function of 'surprisingly' in 'Surprisingly, he won'?
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Modifies the entire sentence. Sentence adverb expressing writer's attitude.
Modifies the entire sentence. Sentence adverb expressing writer's attitude.
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Choose the correct modifier: 'They are (real/really) excited about the trip.'
Choose the correct modifier: 'They are (real/really) excited about the trip.'
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really. 'Really' is an adverb modifying the adjective 'excited.'
really. 'Really' is an adverb modifying the adjective 'excited.'
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Choose the correct clause type and punctuation: 'The car, that/which I bought, is electric.'
Choose the correct clause type and punctuation: 'The car, that/which I bought, is electric.'
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which (nonessential, with commas). Commas indicate the car information is additional, not essential.
which (nonessential, with commas). Commas indicate the car information is additional, not essential.
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Find and correct the double comparative: 'This route is more shorter than the old one.'
Find and correct the double comparative: 'This route is more shorter than the old one.'
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Correct: 'This route is shorter than the old one.'. Remove 'more' to avoid the double comparative error.
Correct: 'This route is shorter than the old one.'. Remove 'more' to avoid the double comparative error.
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Choose the correct modifier: 'Of the three runners, Maya is the (faster/fastest).'
Choose the correct modifier: 'Of the three runners, Maya is the (faster/fastest).'
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fastest. Three or more items require the superlative form.
fastest. Three or more items require the superlative form.
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Choose the correct modifier: 'A small (amount/number) of sugar was added.'
Choose the correct modifier: 'A small (amount/number) of sugar was added.'
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amount. 'Sugar' is an uncountable mass noun, so use 'amount.'
amount. 'Sugar' is an uncountable mass noun, so use 'amount.'
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Identify the error and correction: 'She almost drove her kids to school every day.'
Identify the error and correction: 'She almost drove her kids to school every day.'
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Correct: 'She drove her kids to school almost every day.'. 'Almost' modifies 'every day,' not the act of driving.
Correct: 'She drove her kids to school almost every day.'. 'Almost' modifies 'every day,' not the act of driving.
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What is the rule for comparative and superlative modifiers (ending in -er/-est)?
What is the rule for comparative and superlative modifiers (ending in -er/-est)?
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Use comparative for two; superlative for three or more. Number of items being compared determines the form to use.
Use comparative for two; superlative for three or more. Number of items being compared determines the form to use.
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What is the meaning difference between 'farther' and 'further' as modifiers?
What is the meaning difference between 'farther' and 'further' as modifiers?
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'Farther' for physical distance; 'further' for degree or extent. Physical vs. metaphorical distance determines the correct choice.
'Farther' for physical distance; 'further' for degree or extent. Physical vs. metaphorical distance determines the correct choice.
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What is the meaning difference between 'many' and 'much' as modifiers?
What is the meaning difference between 'many' and 'much' as modifiers?
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'Many' for count nouns; 'much' for mass nouns. Count vs. mass nouns determine which quantifier is appropriate.
'Many' for count nouns; 'much' for mass nouns. Count vs. mass nouns determine which quantifier is appropriate.
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What is a nonessential modifier, and how is it punctuated?
What is a nonessential modifier, and how is it punctuated?
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An extra modifier; it is set off with commas (or dashes/parentheses). Nonessential information is extra, so punctuation sets it apart.
An extra modifier; it is set off with commas (or dashes/parentheses). Nonessential information is extra, so punctuation sets it apart.
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What is an appositive, and what does it modify?
What is an appositive, and what does it modify?
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A noun phrase that renames another noun directly beside it. Appositives provide additional identification or description of nouns.
A noun phrase that renames another noun directly beside it. Appositives provide additional identification or description of nouns.
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What punctuation typically sets off a nonessential modifier or appositive?
What punctuation typically sets off a nonessential modifier or appositive?
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Commas (or parentheses/dashes) set off nonessential modifiers. Nonessential modifiers need punctuation to show they're extra information.
Commas (or parentheses/dashes) set off nonessential modifiers. Nonessential modifiers need punctuation to show they're extra information.
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