PSAT Writing : Correcting Dangling Modifier Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #41 : 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.
Having been director for so many years, the board presumed that Dr. Olson knew how the meetings should be carried out.
Because he had been the director for so many years,
Since Dr. Olson was being director for so many years,
Having been director for so many years,
As a result of having been director for so many years,
Because Dr. Olson was the director for so many years,
Because Dr. Olson was the director for so many years,
The first phrase must mention Dr. Olson’s name because, without it, we have a dangling modifier and cannot tell who the director is. Of the two answer choices that do mention Dr. Olson in the first phrase, one uses the verb "was" and the other uses the verb "was being." Because the action of the phrase takes place in the past, as we can tell by the prepositional phrase "for so many years," the answer choice that uses the simple past tense "was" is the correct answer.
Example Question #1161 : Improving Sentences
Seething with anger, the door slammed behind me.
Seething with anger, the door was slammed behind me.
Anger full of seething, the door slammed behind me.
Seething with anger, I slammed the door behind me.
Seething with anger, the door from behind me was slammed.
Seething with anger, the door slammed behind me.
Seething with anger, I slammed the door behind me.
Here, “seething with anger” needs to describe who comes right after the comma. Thus, “Seething with anger, I slammed the door behind me” is the only answer choice that makes sense.
Example Question #253 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Although she was worried about bankruptcy, Masha's concern was more about the possibility of losing her home.
it was the possibility of losing her home that gave Masha concern.
the possibility of losing her home gave Masha more concern.
Masha was more concerned towards her home and losing it.
Masha was more concerned about the possibility of losing her home.
Masha's concern was more about the possibility of losing her home.
Masha was more concerned about the possibility of losing her home.
It is illogical to state that a "concern" is "worried." The only logical subject of this participle is "Masha."
Example Question #254 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Like his other historical plays, Shakespeare dramatizes themes of corruption, betrayal, and power in the play King John.
Like his other historical plays, Shakespeare dramatized themes of corruption, betrayal, and power in the play King John.
Like his other historical plays, Shakespeare dramatizes themes of corruption, betrayal, and power in the play King John.
Like his other historical plays, in the play King John, Shakespeare dramatizes themes of corruption, betrayal, and power.
Like his other historical plays, themes of corruption, betrayal, and power are dramatized by Shakespeare in the play King John.
Like Shakespeare's other historical plays, King John dramatizes themes of corruption, betrayal, and power.
Like Shakespeare's other historical plays, King John dramatizes themes of corruption, betrayal, and power.
This sentence contains a faulty comparison. All of the answer choices except "Like Shakespeare's other historical plays, King John dramatizes themes of corruption, betrayal, and power" make it sound as though either Shakespeare or the themes are like the other historical plays.
Example Question #254 : 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.
Walking out of the house, the cold immediately affected the little boy.
Walking out of the house so the cold immediately affected the little boy.
Walking out of the house, the cold immediately affected the little boy.
Walked out of the house, the cold immediately affected the little boy.
The cold immediately affected the little boy walking out of the house.
Walking out of the house, the cold immediately affecting the little boy.
The cold immediately affected the little boy walking out of the house.
The sentence is written with a dangling modifier, making it appear like "the cold" was "walking out of the house." The sentence needs to be rearranged to make it clear that "the little boy" was the one doing the walking. The only answer choice that fully takes care of this confusion is "The cold immediately affected the little boy walking out of the house."
Example Question #61 : Modifier Placement Errors
Select the answer that produces the most effective sentence, one that is clear and exact, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
After eating too much food, nausea overwhelmed Francis.
food, nausea overwhelmed Francis.
food, Francis was overwhlemed with nausea.
food, Francis having been overwhelmed with nausea.
food: naseau overwhelmed Francis.
food; nausea overwhelmed Francis.
food, Francis was overwhlemed with nausea.
Here, the modifying phrase is misplaced: it is Francis, not the nausea, that ate too much food. Choose the answer which places the subject close to the modifier and also makes grammatical sense.
Example Question #41 : Correcting Dangling Modifier Errors
Playing the piano for over an hour, Tyler’s soreness prevented him from performing his best.
Having played the piano for over an hour, Tyler was unable to perform well because of his soreness.
Playing the piano for over an hour, Tyler’s soreness prevented him from performing well.
Playing the piano for over an hour, Tyler was unable to perform well because of his soreness.
Having played the piano for over an hour, Tyler’s soreness prevented him from performing well.
Having played the piano for over an hour, Tyler’s performing well was prevented by soreness.
Having played the piano for over an hour, Tyler was unable to perform well because of his soreness.
There are two problems with the initial sentence. First, playing modifies Tyler, not his soreness. Second, the participle is in the wrong form. It should be in the perfect form, having played. Only past action could have caused his current soreness.
Example Question #41 : Correcting Dangling Modifier 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.
Noticing the dates while they walked, the sun beat down on the children as they strolled through the orchard.
Noticing the dates that littered the ground, the sun beat down on the children as they strolled through the orchard.
Dates strolled through the orchard while the children beat down on the sun.
Noticing the dates that littered the ground, the children strolled through the orchard as the sun beat down on them.
Noticing the dates that littered the ground, the children strolled through the orchard as the sun beating down on them.
The children noticed the dates as they strolled, through the orchard while the sun beat down on them.
Noticing the dates that littered the ground, the children strolled through the orchard as the sun beat down on them.
This sentence contains a dangling participle. A dangling participle is a participle in an introductory phrase that makes reference to the wrong noun. As written, it appears as if "the sun" is doing the "noticing," when "the children" should be the ones doing the "noticing." Rearranging the sentence so that "the children" is the noun that follows the introductory phrase rids the sentence of its dangling participle.
Example Question #259 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Rounding the corner, the mountains loomed large in front of the group.
The mountains loomed large rounding the corner in front of the group.
The mountains loomed large in front of the group as they rounded the corner.
Rounding the corner, the mountains loomed large in front of the group.
Rounding the corner the mountains loomed large in front of the group.
Rounding the corner: the mountains loomed large in front of the group.
The mountains loomed large in front of the group as they rounded the corner.
The phrase "Rounding the corner" is a type of error is known as a "dangling modifier." What is described as "rounding" is not "the mountains" as the sentence's construction implies by having "the mountains" immediately follow the introductory phrase "Rounding the corner." "The group" is the noun being described by "Rounding the corner," so to correct this sentence's ambiguity, the sentence should be arranged so that "the group" is the noun that immediately follows "Rounding the corner." Thus, the correct answer is "The mountains loomed large in front of the group as they rounded the corner."
Example Question #41 : Correcting Dangling Modifier 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Although captured and executed, Americans still remember Nathan Hale for his patriotism and bravery during the revolution.
Nathan Hale, still remembered by Americans for his patriotism and Bravery
Americans still remember the patriotism and bravery of Nathan Hale
Americans still remember Nathan Hale for his patriotism and bravery
the patriotism and bravery of Nathan Hale is still remembered by Americans
Nathan Hale is still remembered by Americans for his patriotism and bravery
Nathan Hale is still remembered by Americans for his patriotism and bravery
When the sentence begins with a descriptive phrase (e.g. prepositional or adverbial), the subject of that phrase should immediately follow. Only two choices correctly place the Subject, but one omits the primary verb, creating a new structure issue.
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