Misplaced Modifiers
Quiz on misplaced, dangling, and squinting modifiers to be taken after watching the companion video.
- 1.
Correct the sentence: Digging in the sand for children is fun.
- A.
Digging in the sand, for children is fun.
- B.
Digging is fun for the sand.
- C.
In the sand, digging for children is fun.
- D.
Digging in the sand is fun for children.
Correct Answer
D. Digging in the sand is fun for children.Explanation
Here, 'for children' is squinting because it could apply to either 'digging in the sand' or 'is fun'. Although this could be a parent helping their kids, the most likely meaning is that the activity is fun for the children. By moving the modifier to the end, it is isolated and can only modify 'is fun'Rate this question:
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- 2.
Correct the sentence: I saw Jeff driving a car with a sombrero.
- A.
With a sombrero, I saw Jeff driving a car.
- B.
I saw Jeff while he was wearing a sombrero and driving a car.
- C.
Driving a car wearing a sombrero, I saw Jeff.
- D.
Jeff, with a sombrero, whom I saw driving a car.
Correct Answer
B. I saw Jeff while he was wearing a sombrero and driving a car.Explanation
This modifier has been misplaced and its subject needs to be clarified. The speaker is trying to say that Jeff was the one wearing a sombrero. The last option comes a little closer, but is a fragment.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Correct this sentence: Looking at this data, this software will catch on quick!
- A.
Catching on quick, this software will look at this data!
- B.
This software, looking at this data, will catch on quick!
- C.
This software will catch on quick, when looking at this data!
- D.
Looking at this data, I can tell this software will catch on quick!
Correct Answer
D. Looking at this data, I can tell this software will catch on quick!Explanation
This is a dangling modifier, so what what needs to be added is a subject of the modifier. Sometimes in speaking, this is implied. It is not, however, grammatically correct and should be avoided in writing.Rate this question:
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- 4.
The following has a dangling modifier.Knowing their habits, kings and queens won't abdicate easily.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Who knows their habits? The subject is not identified, so this is a dangling modifier.Rate this question:
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- 5.
The following has a squinting modifier. People who talk frequently have little to say.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Do people who often talk have little to say or is it common that people who talk have nothing to say? The difference is subtle, but it is present. Frequently could refer to either how often the people talk or how often the people have nothing to say. Though the ambiguity is not too misleading in this sentence, it is undesirable.Rate this question:
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- 6.
The following has a misplaced modifierShaniqua went for a walk and was wearing her favorite blue jumper.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
In this sentence, the modifier is 'wearing her favorite blue jumper'. It is completely defined so that there is no ambiguity in what is being modified.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Correct the sentence: With a flourish, Stacy watched Paul pull the notebook from his bag
- A.
Stacy watched Paul pull, with a flourish, the notebook from his bag.
- B.
Stacy, with a flourish, watched Paul pull the notebook from his bag.
- C.
Watching Paul pull the notebook from his bag with a flourish.
- D.
Stacy watched with a flourish Paul pull the notebook from his bag.
Correct Answer
A. Stacy watched Paul pull, with a flourish, the notebook from his bag.Explanation
The modifier as been located so that it appears to be modifying 'Stacy watched' instead of 'Paul pull'. This relocation makes it clear that 'pull' is the subject of the modifier.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Which describes a modifier that has no subject stated in the sentence?
- A.
Dangling modifier
- B.
Misplaced modifier
- C.
Squinting modifier
Correct Answer
A. Dangling modifierExplanation
A dangling modifier is completely without subject.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Which is a squinting modifier?
- A.
A modifier that has been placed so that it appears to describe the wrong subject.
- B.
A modifier that can apply to two different subjects.
- C.
A modifier with no subject present.
Correct Answer
B. A modifier that can apply to two different subjects.Explanation
A squinting modifier can apply to multiple subjects.Rate this question:
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- 10.
What is another name for a squinting modifier?
- A.
A two-face modifier
- B.
A two-way modifier
- C.
A two-subject modifier
- D.
A double meaning modifier.
Correct Answer
B. A two-way modifierExplanation
As mentioned in the video, squinting modifiers are also called two-way modifiers.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 19, 2022Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Sep 19, 2014Quiz Created by
Dsfelshe
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