PSAT Writing : Correcting Modifier Placement Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #252 : 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.

Possible Answers:

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 rounding the corner 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.

Correct answer:

The mountains loomed large in front of the group as they rounded the corner.

Explanation:

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 #252 : 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 captured and executed, Americans still remember Nathan Hale for his patriotism and bravery during the revolution.

Possible Answers:

Nathan Hale, still remembered by Americans 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

Americans still remember the patriotism and bravery of Nathan Hale

Americans still remember Nathan Hale for his patriotism and bravery

Correct answer:

Nathan Hale is still remembered by Americans for his patriotism and bravery

Explanation:

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.

Example Question #1172 : Improving Sentences

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.

Gazing into the night sky, the stars prompted Galileo to invent one of the first telescopes.

Possible Answers:

Gazing into the night sky, Galileo

Gazing into the night sky, Galileo was prompted by the stars

Gazing into the night sky, Galileo prompted the stars

Gazing into the night sky, the stars prompted Galileo

Gazing into the night sky, the stars had prompted Galileo

Correct answer:

Gazing into the night sky, Galileo was prompted by the stars

Explanation:

This sentence contains a dangling participle. The way the sentence is phrased, the introductory phrase "Gazing into the night sky" appears to describe "the stars" instead of "Galileo." The only answer choice that corrects this issue while creating a grammatically correct sentence is "Gazing into the night sky, Galileo was prompted by the stars."

Example Question #1173 : Improving Sentences

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.

Working out the kinks in his invention, the machine was exhibited by the tinkerer in 1904.

Possible Answers:

the machine was exhibited by the tinkerer in 1904.

the tinkerer exhibited the machine in 1904.

the machine exhibited by the tinkerer in 1904.

the machine was exhibited in 1904 by the tinkerer.

the machine was exhibiting by the tinkerer in 1904.

Correct answer:

the tinkerer exhibited the machine in 1904.

Explanation:

The sentence is written in a manner that makes it appear that "the machine" was "working out the kinks," when the only logical noun to do this action is "the tinkerer." The sentence needs to be rearranged so as to indicate clearly who was doing the "working," a task best achieved by the answer choice "the tinkerer exhibited the machine in 1904."

Example Question #282 : 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.

Walking out of the house, the breeze nearly knocked the girl down.

Possible Answers:

The breeze nearly knocking the girl down as walking out of the house.

The breeze nearly knocked the girl down as she walked out of the house.

Walking out of the house, the breeze nearly knocked the girl down.

Walking out of the house made the breeze nearly knock the girl down.

Walking out of the house so the breeze nearly knocked the girl down.

Correct answer:

The breeze nearly knocked the girl down as she walked out of the house.

Explanation:

The sentence as written features a dangling modifier, which makes the sentence read as though "the breeze" was "walking out of the house." The sentence needs to be rearranged to make it clear that the girl was the one doing the walking. The only answer choice that does this is "The breeze nearly knocked the girl down as she walked out of the house."

Example Question #51 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Flying into the city, the smog was visible to everyone on the plane.

Possible Answers:

The smog visible to everyone on the plane flying into the city.

The smog was visible to everyone on the plane flying into the city.

Flying into the city, everyone on the plane was visible to the smog.

Flying into the city, the smog was visible to everyone on the plane.

Everyone on the plane was visible with smog flying into the city.

Correct answer:

The smog was visible to everyone on the plane flying into the city.

Explanation:

The sentence is written in a way that makes it appear that "the smog" was the thing "flying into the city." The sentence needs to be restructured to show that the plane, and the people on it, were "flying into the city." The answer choice that best clarifies the meaning of the sentence is "The smog was visible to everyone on the plane flying into the city."

Example Question #61 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Walking at night through the graveyard, noises always seem much creepier than they actually are during daylight.

Possible Answers:

Walking in night in the graveyard, noises always seem

Walking through the graveyard at night, noises always seem

Walking at night through the graveyard, noises always seem

Walking at night through the graveyard, people hear noises that seem

Walking at night through the graveyard, noises seem always

Correct answer:

Walking at night through the graveyard, people hear noises that seem

Explanation:

The sentence as written contains what is known as a "dangling modifer," as the introductory clause does not describe action taken by the subject, "noises." This means the sentence needs to be fixed to make the subject fit with its modifying clause. The best choice among the answers is "Walking at night through the graveyard, people hear noises that seem."

Example Question #1191 : Improving Sentences

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.

Invented in China over three centuries ago, explorers and trade merchants alike have used the compass as a navigational tool.

Possible Answers:

Invented in China over three centuries ago, explorers and trade merchants alike use the compass as a navigational tool. 

Invented in China over three centuries ago, explorers and trade merchants alike used the compass as a navigational tool. 

Invented in China over three centuries ago, both explorers and trade merchants alike have used the compass as a navigational tool. 

Invented in China over three centuries ago, explorers and trade merchants alike have used the compass as a navigational tool. 

Invented in China over three centuries ago, the compass has served as a navigational tool for explorers and trade merchants alike.

Correct answer:

Invented in China over three centuries ago, the compass has served as a navigational tool for explorers and trade merchants alike.

Explanation:

The original text contains a misplaced modifier. When we have a modifying phrase at the beginning of a sentence, such as "Invented in China over three centuries ago," we know that the noun that appears right after that phrase must be the thing that the modifying phrase describes. In this case, this means the thing that was invented in China over three centuries ago. 

All of the answer choices except "Invented in China over three centuries ago, the compass has served as a navigational tool for explorers and trade merchants alike" make is sound as though explorers and trade merchants were invented in China over three centuries ago, which is not correct.

Example Question #273 : 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.

A popular tourist destination, Edward Hooper used Central Park as the subject of many of his paintings.

Possible Answers:

Edward Hooper has used Central Park to be the subject of many of his paintings. 

Edward Hooper used Central Park to be the subject of many of his paintings. 

Edward Hooper has used Central Park as the subject of many of his paintings. 

Edward Hooper used Central Park as the subject of many of his paintings. 

Central Park was the subject of many of Edward Hooper's paintings. 

Correct answer:

Central Park was the subject of many of Edward Hooper's paintings. 

Explanation:

When a sentence begins with an introductory modifying clause, such as "A popular tourist destination," the noun right after that clause must be the entity that the clause describes—in this case, Central Park. Otherwise, an error known as a "dangling modifier" is created and the sentence becomes confusing and ambiguous.

Only the answer choice "Central Park was the subject of many of Edward Hooper's paintings" places the subject "Central Park" immediately after the modifying introductory clause and avoids confusion and ambiguity.

All of the other answer choices make it sound as though Edward Hooper is a popular tourist destination, which is somewhat silly and definitely incorrect.

Example Question #72 : 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.

Caring for a pet, responsibility is something children can learn.

Possible Answers:

Caring for a pet responsibility is something children can learn.

Caring for a pet, responsibility is learned by children.

Caring for a pet, responsibility is something children can learn.

Caring for a pet, responsibility is something children learn.

Responsibility is something children can learn by caring for a pet.

Correct answer:

Responsibility is something children can learn by caring for a pet.

Explanation:

With the sentence phrased the way it is, the thing that is "caring for a pet" appears to be "responsibility." This dangling modifier needs to be changed to make it clear that "children" are "caring for a pet." The correct answer choice is "Responsibility is something children can learn by caring for a pet."

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