SAT Writing : Identifying Modifier Placement Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
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.
Ryan was elated to find the diamond men's chain on the street, but decided it would be more prudent to find out whom it belonged to than to keep it himself. No error
than to
whom
No error
diamond men's chain
was elated
diamond men's chain
The word "diamond" in the phrase "diamond men's chain" is a misplaced modifier. In its current placement in the sentence, "diamond" looks to be modifying "men's" instead of properly modifying chain. To fix it, we would move the modifier so that the phrase becomes "men's diamond chain."
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.
Hansel and Gretel were lured into going into the candy witch's house, which was made of gingerbread and various kinds of sweets; because of their hunger, they were not aware of the trap the witch had set until it was nearly too late. No error
were not aware
No error
candy witch's house
nearly too late
were lured
candy witch's house
The phrase "candy witch's house" is incorrect because it is the house that is made of candy, not the witch. Therefore, we must move the modifier "candy" in the phrase to correctly refer to "house" - "witch's candy house."
Example Question #7 : 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 couldn't believe how many ingredients Kelly was able to fit into that chicken giant burrito, and we immediately knew we couldn't finish it in one meal. No error
was able
chicken giant burrito
No error
couldn't believe
immediately
chicken giant burrito
In the phrase "chicken giant burrito," it appears that "chicken" is improperly modifying "giant." The phrase "giant chicken burrito" corrects this misplaced modifier error.
Example Question #21 : 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.
Marilyn brought her old red sneakers to the thrift store, which were faded on the sides but otherwise still had strong soles. No error
which were faded on the sides but otherwise still had strong soles
thrift store
to
No error
her old
which were faded on the sides but otherwise still had strong soles
The phrase "which were faded on the sides but otherwise still had strong soles" is a misplaced modifier—it is currently modifying "the thrift store," but should instead be modifying "sneakers."
Example Question #3 : 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.
The state is rightfully very hesitant to give teenagers drivers' licenses who have not had training, as there is a higher chance of those teenagers getting into accidents. No error
there is
of those teenagers
who have not had training
No error
rightfully
who have not had training
In the current form of the sentence, the phrase "who have not had training" is incorrectly modifying "drivers' licenses." Instead, the phrase should modify "teenagers" ("teenagers who have not had training").
Example Question #4 : 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 didn't have to look too hard for the owner of the green striped men's socks; only Jeremy would ever wear socks that tacky. No error
socks that tacky
No error
would ever
too hard
green striped men's socks
green striped men's socks
In the sentence above, the adjectives "green" and "striped" are intended to modify "socks" but have been misplaced to modify "men's" instead.
Example Question #171 : 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.
The budding poet finished, during the first year of college, twenty poems and a novella, but she was too afraid to show any of them to her parents. No error
budding
No error
during the first year of college
novella, but
of them
during the first year of college
The error in this sentence is "during the first year of college" because it is an interrupting modifier. An interrupting modifier seperates the verb ("wrote") from its direct object ("twenty poems and a novella"), making the sentence less clear. A corrected sentence would be: "During the first year of college, the budding poet wrote twenty poems and a novella, but she was too afraid to show any of them to her parents."
Example Question #172 : 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.
It is possible that James will have been able to afford the vacation if he had saved more of his money. No error
if
will have
had saved
been able
No error
will have
The phrases “been able” and “had saved” are both referring to something that did or could have happened in the past. In keeping with the same tense, “will have” should be in the conditional form that would correctly describe a possibility in the past—“would have.”
Certified Tutor
All SAT Writing Resources
