SAT Writing : Identifying Dangling Modifier Errors
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Example Question #11 : Identifying 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.
Rustling in the summer breeze, Sam was impressed by the oak trees on his walk.
Rustling in the summer breeze, the oak trees impressed Sam on his walk.
Rustles in the summer breeze, Sam admires the oak trees on his walk.
Rustling in the summer breeze, Sam is admiring the oak trees on his walk.
As they rustled in the summer breeze, Sam was impressed by the oak trees on his walk.
Rustling in the summer breeze, Sam admires the oak trees on his walk.
Rustling in the summer breeze, the oak trees impressed Sam on his walk.
Since "rustling in the summer breeze" refers to the oak trees rather than Sam (since trees, not people, can rustle), "the oak trees" has to go directly after that modifying phrase. This construction only occurs in the answer choice of "Rustling in the summer breeze, the oak trees impressed Sam on his walk."
Example Question #12 : Identifying Modifier Placement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Running late to class, Tom's backpack fell off as he sprinted down the hall. No error
Tom's backpack
down the hall
he sprinted
fell off
No error
Tom's backpack
The dangling modifier "Running late to class" must be immediately followed by the subject Tom. In the question, the modifier is followed by Tom's backpack, which incorrectly suggests that the backpack is running late to class.
Example Question #13 : Identifying Modifier Placement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Staring out the window, the lengthy car ride to Nebraska seemed to take forever. No error
to
Staring out the window
lengthy
take forever
No error
Staring out the window
The error in this sentence is the dangling modifier: "Staring out the window." A dangling modifier is one that is left without a noun to modify (or without one that it would make sense to modify). Since a car ride can't stare out a window, "staring out the window" does not have a logical noun to modify and is therefore a dangling modifier. A corrected sentence might look like this: "As Mia stared out the window, the lengthy car ride to Nebraska seemed to last forever" or "Staring out the window, Mia lamented that the lengthy car ride to Nebraska seemed to take forever."
Example Question #14 : Identifying Modifier Placement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Looking at it from above, the city seemed much smaller than George would have thought. No error
than
would
above
the city
No error
the city
The sentence above contains a dangling modifier. Since it is George who is "looking at it from above" in the first clause, George must be the subject of the second clause, not "the city."
Example Question #161 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Taking deep breaths, enough composure was regained by the pianist to finish the concert. No error
the pianist
the concert.
to finish
enough composure was regained
No error
enough composure was regained
This sentence contains a dangling modifier. As it is written, it seems as though “enough composure” was taking the deep breaths. In order to correct this mistake, “the pianist” must be listed first after the comma to make it clear that he is the subject of the sentence as the one taking the deep breaths. Correctly re-phrased this sentence would read, "Taking deep breaths, the pianist regained enough composure to finish the concert."
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