PSAT Writing : Correcting Dangling Modifier Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #251 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Hoping to make amends, the flowers were given to the young man's girlfriend.

Possible Answers:

Hoping to make amends, the young man gave his girlfriend the flowers.

Hoping to make amends, the flowers were given by the young man's girlfriend.

Hoping to make amends, the flowers were given for the young man's girlfriend.

Hoping to make amends, the flowers were given to the young man's girlfriend.

Hoping to make amends, the flowers gave to the young man's girlfriend.

Correct answer:

Hoping to make amends, the young man gave his girlfriend the flowers.

Explanation:

The sentence as it is written contains a dangling modifier, because it is unclear who or what was "hoping." The sentence needs to be rewritten to make it clear who is actually doing the "hoping." The answer choice that does this best is "Hoping to make amends, the young man gave his girlfriend the flowers."

Example Question #24 : Correcting Modifier Placement Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Making plenty of mistakes, the project was taken away from the young associate.

Possible Answers:

Making plenty of mistakes so the project was taken away from the young associate.

Making plenty of mistakes, the project was taken away from the young associate.

The project was taken away from the young associate because he was making plenty of mistakes.

The project was taken away from the young associate because it made plenty of mistakes.

Making plenty of mistakes, the project being taken away from the young associate.

Correct answer:

The project was taken away from the young associate because he was making plenty of mistakes.

Explanation:

The sentence is written in such a way to make it seem like the "project" was "making plenty of mistakes." The sentence needs to be reworded and restructured to show that it was "the young associate" who was "making plenty of mistakes." The correct answer choice is the only answer choice that makes this clear, "The project was taken away from the young associate because he was making plenty of mistakes."

Example Question #25 : Correcting Modifier Placement Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Walking into the street, the parade blocked the pedestrians' path.

Possible Answers:

Walking in the street, the parade blocked the pedestrians' path.

Walking into the street, the parade was blocking the pedestrians' path.

Walking into the street, the parade blocked the pedestrians path.

Walking into the street, the parade blocked the pedestrians' path.

Walking into the street, the pedestrians had their path blocked by the parade.

Correct answer:

Walking into the street, the pedestrians had their path blocked by the parade.

Explanation:

The sentence contains a dangling modifier, making it seem as though the "parade" was "walking into the street." The sentence needs to be rearranged to make it clear that the "pedestrians" were walking. The only answer choice that does this is "Walking into the street, the pedestrians had their path blocked by the parade."

Example Question #41 : Modifier Placement Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Moving into his new house, the wallpaper was completely renovated by the homeowner.

Possible Answers:

 the wallpaper was completely renovated by the homeowner.

the homeowner completely renovated the wallpaper.

 the wallpaper were completely renovated by the homeowner.

 the wallpaper were completely renovation by the homeowner.

 the wallpaper completely renovated by the homeowner.

Correct answer:

the homeowner completely renovated the wallpaper.

Explanation:

The sentence is written in such a way that it makes it seem like "the wallpaper" was "moving into his new house." The sentence needs to be rearranged to show that the "homeowner" is actually the one doing the moving. The only answer choice that does this is "the homeowner completely renovated the wallpaper."

Example Question #27 : Correcting Modifier Placement Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Under a great deal of stress, cooking a meal was too hard for the newly-promoted manager.

Possible Answers:

Under a great deal of stress, cooking a meal was too hard for the newly-promoted manager.

Under a great deal of stress, cooking a meal was too hard for a newly-promoted manager.

Cooking a meal was too hard for the newly-promoted manager, who was under a great deal of stress.

Under a great deal of stress, to cook a meal was too hard for the newly-promoted manager.

Under a great deal of stress cooking a meal was too hard for the newly-promoted manager.

Correct answer:

Cooking a meal was too hard for the newly-promoted manager, who was under a great deal of stress.

Explanation:

The sentence is written in such a way to make it appear that "cooking a meal" is what is "under a great deal of stress." The sentence needs to be rearranged and reworded to clarify this confusion. The answer choice that does this best is "Cooking a meal was too hard for the newly-promoted manager, who was under a great deal of stress."

Example Question #42 : Modifier Placement Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Making the final turn, the finish line loomed for both of the dueling cars.

Possible Answers:

Making the final turn to the finish line loomed for both of the dueling cars.

Making the final turn, the finish line loomed for both of the dueling cars.

The dueling cars making the final turn loomed the finish line.

The finish line loomed for both of the dueling cars making the final turn.

Making the final turn, the dueling cars looming for the finish line.

Correct answer:

The finish line loomed for both of the dueling cars making the final turn.

Explanation:

The sentence is written in such a way that it makes the finish line appear to be the one "making the final turn," instead of "the dueling cars." The sentence has to be rearranged to make this distinction clear, and still keep the sentence's intended meaning. The only answer choice that appropriately does this is "The finish line loomed for both of the dueling cars making the final turn."

Example Question #29 : Correcting Modifier Placement Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Coming over the hill, the rainbow became visible to the hikers.

Possible Answers:

Coming over the hill, the rainbow became visible for the hikers.

Coming over the hill, the rainbow becoming visible to the hikers.

The rainbow became visible to the hikers as it came over the hill.

The rainbow became visible to the hikers as they were coming over the hill.

Coming over the hill, the rainbow became visible to the hikers.

Correct answer:

The rainbow became visible to the hikers as they were coming over the hill.

Explanation:

The sentence is constructed in such a way as to make it seem that "the rainbow," rather than "the hikers," came over the hill. The sentence needs to be rearranged to clarify its meaning. The only answer choice that accomplishes this is "The rainbow became visible to the hikers as they were coming over the hill."

Example Question #31 : Correcting Dangling Modifier Errors

Making a little more money, the new car was more affordable for the young woman.

Possible Answers:

Making a little more money, the young woman was more affordable for the new car.

The new car was more affordable for the young woman who was making a little more money.

The new car was more affordable as the young woman who was making a little more money.

Making a little more money, the new car was more affordable for the young woman.

Making a little more money for the new car, was more affordable for the young woman.

Correct answer:

The new car was more affordable for the young woman who was making a little more money.

Explanation:

The sentence is written in such a way as to make it appear the car was "making a little more money." The sentence needs to be rearranged to show that the "young woman" was the one "making a little more money." The only answer choice that does this and becomes gramatically correct is "The new car was more affordable for the young woman who was making a little more money."

Example Question #31 : Correcting Modifier Placement Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Spreading through the night, the city was destroyed by the massive fire.

Possible Answers:

 the city was destroyed in the massive fire.

the city destroyed by the massive fire.

the massive fire destroyed the city.

the city was destroyed by the massive fire.

the massive fire was destroyed in the city.

Correct answer:

the massive fire destroyed the city.

Explanation:

The sentence is written in a confusing way, making it read as though the city was "spreading" instead of the "massive fire." The sentence should be clarified to show that it was the fire that was "spreading," which will also allow a passive construction to change to an active construction. The answer choice that does this and is sensibly arranged is "the massive fire destroyed the city."

Example Question #251 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Turning around in the crowded store, the counter was run into by the harried man.

Possible Answers:

the counter ran into by the harried man.

the counter was run into by the harried man.

the harried man was run into by the counter.

the counter run into the harried man.

the harried man ran into the counter.

Correct answer:

the harried man ran into the counter.

Explanation:

As it is written, the sentence is quite confusing, reading as though the counter was "Turning around." The underlined portion of the sentence can be rewritten to show both that the "harried man" is turning and get rid of the passive voice construction of the sentence. The only answer choice to properly achieve both of these goals is "the harried man ran into the counter."

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