SAT Writing : Identifying Modifier Placement Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #821 : Identifying 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.
Shaking every building in the downtown area, Winona crouched in the corner of her bedroom when the massive earthquake hit. No error.
No error
Shaking every building in the downtown area
in
when
hit
Shaking every building in the downtown area
"Shaking every building in the downtown area" is a dangling modifier that should correctly refer to "when the massive earthquake hit" and not to Winona.
Example Question #11 : Identifying 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.
Rustling in the summer breeze, Sam was impressed by the oak trees on his walk.
Rustles in the summer breeze, Sam admires 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 is admiring 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.
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 Dangling Modifier 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
he sprinted
No error
down the hall
fell off
Tom's backpack
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 Dangling Modifier 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
No error
lengthy
to
Staring out the window
take forever
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 Dangling Modifier 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
above
the city
No error
than
would
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 #11 : 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.
Taking deep breaths, enough composure was regained by the pianist to finish the concert. No error
the pianist
enough composure was regained
the concert.
to finish
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."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Misplaced Or Interrupting Modifier Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When I passed the shop window, I saw a silver woman’s locket that would be perfect for my aunt’s birthday. No error
passed
window,
No error
silver woman’s locket
would be
silver woman’s locket
Here, the word “silver” is a misplaced modifier. It’s the locket that’s silver, not the woman, so the correct wording would be a “woman’s silver locket.”
Example Question #2 : Identifying Misplaced Or Interrupting Modifier Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I’m looking for the torn biology teacher’s manual so I can replace it with a new one. No error
a new
No error
manual
so
torn
torn
It’s not the biology teacher who’s torn; it’s the manual. Therefore, “torn” is a misplaced modifier and should be moved directly next to the phrase it modifies.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Misplaced Or Interrupting Modifier Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
We can’t give juice to any of the children in glass bottles; someone might drop one and break it. No error
in glass bottles
someone
one
No error
any
in glass bottles
The "children" aren’t in glass bottles; the "juice" is. Therefore, “in glass bottles” is a misplaced modifier and should be moved next to the noun it modifies.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Misplaced Or Interrupting Modifier Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My niece Tara wore her favorite blue dress to the homecoming dance, which unfortunately didn’t match her green shoes. No error
dance,
favorite blue
which unfortunately didn’t match her green shoes.
niece
No error
which unfortunately didn’t match her green shoes.
“Which unfortunately didn’t match her green shoes” is a misplaced modifier, since it describes not the dance but the dress. It is incorrectly placed in the sentence.
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