Chapter 3: Misplaced Modifiers

Activity 1 on Misplaced Modifiers (331–332)

Note: The underlined part in each of the corrections below shows what had been a misplaced

modifier.

1. The patient on the psychiatrist’s couch talked about his childhood.

Or: On the psychiatrist’s couch, the patient talked about his childhood.

2. With swiveling heads, the crowd watched the tennis players.

3. Vonnie put four hamburger patties, which she was cooking for dinner, on the counter.

4. Steve carefully hung in the bedroom closet the new suit that he would wear to his first

job interview.

5. Anne ripped on a car door the shirt that she made in sewing class.

Or: Anne ripped the shirt that she made in sewing class on a car door.

6. The latest Denzel Washington movie has opened in almost 2,200 theaters across the

country.

7. Wearing a bulletproof vest, the newscaster spoke softly into a microphone.

Or: The newscaster, wearing a bulletproof vest, spoke softly into a microphone.

8. Owing two months’ rent, the tenants left town in a dilapidated old car.

Or: The tenants, owing two months’ rent, left town in a dilapidated old car.
 Or: The tenants who owed two months’ rent left town in a dilapidated old car.

9. The woman with arthritis picked up a heavy frying pan.

10. In the greenhouse, I discovered an unusual plant that oozed a milky juice.

Review Test 1 (332–333)

1. MM 6. C

2. C 7. C

3. C 8. MM

4. MM 9. MM

5. MM 10. C

Review Test 2 (333)

Note: The underlined part in each of the corrections below shows what had been a misplaced

modifier.

1. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote in a poem that rainbows are flowers that have

died and gone to heaven. Or: In a poem, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote that

rainbows are flowers that have died and gone to heaven.

2. Because of the storm, I arrived almost two hours late for my first day on the job.

3. With envious eyes, the apprentice watched the master carpenter expertly fit the door.
 4. The photographer pointed the camera equipped with a special night-vision scope at

the shy deer. Or: The photographer pointed at the shy deer the camera equipped with

a special night-vision scope.

5. With tired faces, the people on the bus stared at the ceiling or read newspapers.

Chapter 4: Dangling Modifiers

Activity 1 on Dangling Modifiers (336–337)

1. The audience cheered wildly as the elephants, dancing on their hind legs, paraded by.

Or: The audience cheered wildly as the elephants paraded by, dancing on their hind

legs.

2. The police spokesperson said the suspect, last seen wearing dark glasses and a blond

wig, was still being sought.

3. As I was pouring out the cereal, a coupon fell into my bowl of milk.

4. I knew the limousine, which was escorted by dozens of police motorcycles, carried

someone important. Or: Because it was escorted by dozens of police motorcycles, I

knew the limousine carried someone important.

5. Tired and exasperated, we had a fight that was inevitable.

Or: Because we were tired and exasperated, the fight we had was inevitable.

6. Fran had difficulty removing the anchovies, which were packed tightly in a tiny can.

7. Raquel finally found her sneakers, which had been kicked carelessly under the bed.
 8. As I worked at the Xerox machine, the morning dragged on.

9. While we were sitting at a sidewalk café, all sorts of interesting people passed by.

10. Though they were somewhat warped, Uncle Zeke played his records from the forties.

Or: Uncle Zeke played his somewhat warped records from the forties.

Review Test 1 (337)

1. DM 6. C

2. C 7. C

3. C 8. DM

4. DM 9. DM

5. DM 10. C

Review Test 2 (338)

1. Since I had not had much sleep, my concentration during class was weak.

Or: Not having had much sleep, I couldn’t concentrate very well during class.

2. A team of surgeons successfully separated the Siamese twins, who were joined at the

hip.

3. While I was wading in the shallow surf, a baby shark brushed past my leg.

4. While being restrained by federal marshals, the kidnapper was sentenced by the judge.

Or: The judge sentenced the kidnapper, who was being restrained by federal marshals.
 5. Beth was in a sentimental frame of mind, so the music brought tears to her eyes.

Review Test 3 (339)

Note: Answers will vary; examples are shown.

1. , Barry slowed the car down.

2. , the vase broke when I set it down too hard.

3. , the kids got soaking wet.

4. , the coat did not wear well.

5. , Terry had gloomy thoughts of death.