Grammar and Language Workbook

her mother’s horse.
Place the modifying phrase as close as possible to the word or words it
modifies.
A misplaced modifier appears to modify the wrong word or group 
of words.
P
ROBLEM
2
Misplacing the adverb only
mod
Akiko only runs hurdles in track.
S
OLUTION
Only Akiko runs hurdles in track.
Akiko runs only hurdles in track.
Akiko runs hurdles only in track.
Each time only is moved in the sentence, the meaning of the sentence
changes. Place the adverb immediately before the word or group of
words it is to modify.

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Troubleshooter
39
Copyright © by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
T
roubleshooter
P
ROBLEM
3
Dangling modifiers
mod
Branches swaying in the breeze, we rested in the shade.
mod
Trying out the new exercise equipment, the new gym is a great
improvement over the old one.
S
OLUTION
Branches swaying in the breeze, the tree provided us with shade.
Trying out the new exercise equipment, Mary said the new gym is a
great improvement over the old one.
Add a noun to which the dangling phrase clearly refers. You might have
to add or change other words, as well.
More help with misplaced or
dangling modifiers is available
in Lesson 66.
Need
More
Help?
A dangling modifier does not modify any word in the sentence.

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Misplaced or Missing Possessive Apostrophes
40 
Grammar and Language Workbook, Grade 12
Copyright © by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill