SAT Writing : Correcting Modifier Placement Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT 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 #1502 : Sentence Correction

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

Everyone on the plane was visible with smog 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.

The smog visible to everyone on the plane 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 #51 : 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.

Working diligently in the garden, the weeds were being removed one by one by the farmer.

Possible Answers:

the farmer had been working to remove the weeds one by one

the weeds were removed by the farmer one by one

the weeds were being removed one by one by the farmer

one by one, the weeds were removed by the farmer

the farmer removed the weeds one by one

Correct answer:

the farmer removed the weeds one by one

Explanation:

The sentence is incorrect because it has a dangling modifier. The thing “working diligently in the garden” is the farmer, not the weeds, so it should start with “the farmer” directly after the comma. Also, “removed” is the most precise and least redundant verb tense to use. 

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 #52 : 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.

After eating a pan of cake, Jimmy's stomach felt ill.

Possible Answers:

After eating a pan of cake, Jimmy felt ill.

Jimmy, after having ate a pan of cake, felt ill.

After eating a pan of cake, Jimmy's stomach had been feeling ill.

After eating a pan of cake, Jimmy's stomach felt ill.

After eating a pan of cake, Jimmy's stomach feels ill.

Correct answer:

After eating a pan of cake, Jimmy felt ill.

Explanation:

The modifier is "after eating a pan of cake." The only conceivable thing that could eat a pan of cake is Jimmy, not his stomach. So, the initial modifying phrase needs to be placed next to "Jimmy" in the sentence so that it is clear to the reader that this is what is happening. This means that "Jimmy" needs to immediately follow the sentence's initial modifying phrase. "Jimmy, after having ate a pan of cake, felt ill" is incorrect due to the incorrect verb construction "having ate." The correct verb phrase would be "having eaten."

Example Question #67 : 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.

Imagining and writing down such beautiful imagery, Shakespeare's plays are truly masterpieces.

Possible Answers:

Shakespeare created plays that are truly masterpieces; plays imagining and writing down such beautiful imagery.

Shakespeare, in imagining and writing down such beautiful imagery, creates plays that are truly masterpieces. 

Imagining and writing down such beautiful imagery, Shakespeare's plays are truly masterpieces.

Shakespeare's plays are truly masterpieces, imagining and writing down such beautiful imagery.

Through imagining and writing down such beautiful imagery, Shakespeare's plays are truly masterpieces.

Correct answer:

Shakespeare, in imagining and writing down such beautiful imagery, creates plays that are truly masterpieces. 

Explanation:

The error in the sentence is in how the phrase "Imagining and writing down such creative imagery" should be about Shakespeare, not his plays. In the original sentence, "Shakespeare's plays" immediately follows the phrase, so it seems as if the plays themselves are imagining and writing down the imagery. The sentence must be corrected so that it is Shakespeare the clause describes.

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