Dangling Misplaced Modifiers Quiz Questions

1. Match the modifiers to their targets in the following sentence:After hearing the story, the students were amazed to learn that when he discovered his famous principle, Archimedes ran through the streets naked, shouting "Eureka!"

when he discovered his famous principle

After hearing the story

"After hearing the story" modifies "the students," but "when he discovered..." modifies Archimedes.

Explanation

"After hearing the story" modifies "the students," but "when he discovered..." modifies Archimedes.

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2. You can find a misplaced modifier while you're reading this sentence.

True

False

There are no misplaced or dangling modifiers in the sentence.

Explanation

There are no misplaced or dangling modifiers in the sentence.

3. While reading this sentence, there is a dangling modifier.

True

False

The sentence does contain a dangling modifier because it does not state who is reading the sentence. "While you are reading this sentence" would fix it.

Explanation

The sentence does contain a dangling modifier because it does not state who is reading the sentence. "While you are reading this sentence" would fix it.

4. What is the best way to fix the following sentence?Because he was being a brat, Frank's dad didn't take him to the cookout.

Because Frank was being a brat, his dad didn't take him to the cookout.

Frank's dad didn't take him to the cookout because he was being a brat.

Because he was being a brat, Frank's dad didn't take him to the cookout.

The original sentence implies that Frank's dad is the brat, but it is actually Frank.

Explanation

The original sentence implies that Frank's dad is the brat, but it is actually Frank.

5. Consider the following sentence:His computer crashed before finishing the assignment.The apparent target of "before finishing the assignment" is

His computer

Assignment

Him

This sentence suggests (erroneously) that the computer was finishing the assignment. A better version would be "Before he could finish the assignment, his computer crashed."

Explanation

This sentence suggests (erroneously) that the computer was finishing the assignment. A better version would be "Before he could finish the assignment, his computer crashed."

6. How would you fix this sentence?Black bears are known to hunt people if they haven't eaten for a while.

If they haven't eaten for a while, black bears are known to hunt people.

Black bears are known to hunt people, if they haven't eaten for a while.

If they haven't eaten for a while, people are known to be hunted by black bears.

It is the black bears who have not eaten. The other two sentences imply that it is the people who have not eaten, but it is the bear's hunger that matters, not the people's.

Explanation

It is the black bears who have not eaten. The other two sentences imply that it is the people who have not eaten, but it is the bear's hunger that matters, not the people's.

7. How would you fix the following sentence?Approaching the intersection, the stoplight suddenly turned red.

While approaching the intersection, the stoplight suddenly turned red.

The stoplight suddenly turned red when approaching the intersection.

When the car was approaching the intersection, the stoplight suddenly turned red.

The original sentence suggests that the stoplight is approaching the intersection, or in the best case leaves the modifier dangling. Adding a subject clears up the ambiguity.

Explanation

The original sentence suggests that the stoplight is approaching the intersection, or in the best case leaves the modifier dangling. Adding a subject clears up the ambiguity.

8. Which sentence contains a dangling/misplaced modifier?

People have problems with dangling modifiers because they get confused.

Since they are tricky, dangling modifiers sometimes confuse people.

All too often, misplaced modifiers modify the wrong target.

In the "People have problems..." sentence, "...because they get confused" modifies "dangling modifiers" instead of the intended target "People."

Explanation

In the "People have problems..." sentence, "...because they get confused" modifies "dangling modifiers" instead of the intended target "People."

9. What is the apparent target of the modifier clause?After failing to achieve the desired results, numbers were fudged in the experiment.

Results

Numbers

Experiment

The (erroneous) arrangement of this sentence suggests that the numbers failed to achieve the desired results. A better version would be "After failing to achieve the desired results, the researchers fudged the numbers in the experiment."

Explanation

The (erroneous) arrangement of this sentence suggests that the numbers failed to achieve the desired results. A better version would be "After failing to achieve the desired results, the researchers fudged the numbers in the experiment."

10. What are the possible targets of the modifier in the following sentence?Due to their great personality, the Oswalds have always wanted beagles.

Their

Personality

Oswalds

Beagles

"Their personality" is supposed to refer to beagles, but modifies "the Oswalds" instead.

Explanation

"Their personality" is supposed to refer to beagles, but modifies "the Oswalds" instead.

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