Grammar and Language Workbook

dangling modifier
does not logically modify any word in the sentence. To correct a
dangling modifier, supply a word that the dangling modifier can logically modify.
DANGLING:
Waiting for a ride home, rain started to fall. (Was the rain waiting for a
ride home?)
CLEAR:
While I was waiting for a ride home, rain started to fall.
DANGLING:
Having found the missing boy, the search was called off. (Who found
the boy?)
CLEAR:
Having found the missing boy, Officer Hadley called off the search.
The word only should immediately precede the word or group of words it modifies. If
only is placed elsewhere, the sentence’s meaning may be unclear.
UNCLEAR:
Maria only has her German class on Friday. (Does she have her class on
any other days?)
CLEAR:
Maria has her German class only on Friday.
UNCLEAR:
They only went to the movies on weekends. (Did they do anything else?)
CLEAR:
They went to the movies only on weekends.
 Exercise 1
Circle each misplaced modifier and draw an arrow to the word it should modify.
Write C in the blank if the sentence is correct.
I served pizza to the children on paper plates.
1. Before leaving on Friday, hors d’oeuvres will be available for the workshop
participants.
2. Driving all night, the sun was coming up when we arrived.
3. Before leaving his house, the dentist’s office called, and Ricardo rescheduled his
appointment.

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208 
Grammar and Language Workbook, Grade 12
Copyright © by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
Grammar
4. Waiting outside for an hour, the cold wind was all I could think about.