Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers.

Directions: From each pair of sentences, choose which sentence is correct.

1. Spending way too much money on his old car, Fred's salary just wasn't enough.

Spending way too much money on his old car, Fred soon found he'd used up his salary.

2. To become a respected politician, one must administer campaign funds carefully.

To become a respected politician, campaign funds must be carefully administered.

3. I like to listen to rock music doing my homework.

I like to listen to rock music while I do my homework.

4. Without a plan for the weekend, we decided to take in a Saturday matinee.

Without a plan for the weekend, a Saturday matinee seemed a good idea at the time.

5. The children were delighted by the monkeys swinging wildly through the trees.

Swinging wildly through the trees, the children were delighted by the monkeys.

6. Piled up next to the washer, I began doing the laundry.

I began doing the laundry piled up next to the washer.

7. While John was talking on the phone, the doorbell rang.

While talking on the phone, the doorbell rang.

8. Standing on the balcony, the ocean view was magnificent.

Standing on the balcony, we had a magnificent ocean view.

9. As I was running across the floor, the rug slipped and I lost my balance,

Running across the floor, the rug slipped and I lost my balance.

10. While taking out the trash, the sack broke.

While Jamie was taking out the trash, the sack broke.

11. He was staring at the girl wearing dark glasses by the vending machine.

He was staring at the girl by the vending machine wearing dark glasses.

12. We read that Janet was married in her last letter.

In her last letter, we read that Janet was married.

Her last letter told us that Janet was married.

According to her last letter, Janet got married.

13. The faulty alarm nearly sounded five times yesterday.

The faulty alarm system sounded nearly five times yesterday.

14. On the evening news, I heard that there was a revolution.

I heard that there was a revolution on the evening news.

The first 5 sentence are from http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/cgi-shl/quiz.pl/modifier_quiz.htm

Sentences 6-14 are from http://aliscot.com/bigdog/dmmm_exercise.htm

Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers. (part 2)

Directions: Most of these sentences have confusing modifiers. Correct any sentence that could be made clearer. (Some of these sentences may need to be completely rewritten. Others can be edited by circling the part of the sentence that needs to be moved and drawing an arrow to show where it should go.)

1. The patient was referred to a psychologist with several emotional problems.

2. Sam found a letter in the mailbox that doesn't belong to her.

3. Before buying a new stereo, you should carefully consider what you need and what you can afford.

4. Walking along the bridge, a ship suddenly appeared.

5. After searching for hours, the cat was finally found.
   
   
6. Students who seek their instructors' advice often can improve their grades.

7. With a sad look on his face, John apologized for breaking his mother’s favorite vase.

8. The jet crashed into a cliff carrying 155 passengers.

9. While shopping at the mall, our car was stolen.

10. Felicia is allergic to raw apples and almonds.

11. The burglar was about 30 years old, white, 5' 10", with wavy hair weighing about 150 pounds.

12. After work, we like to relax in the park watching the dogs talking with each other and reading.

13. Playing soccer all afternoon, Sam was exhausted.

14. The police killed a man with a camera.

15. While jogging down the street, my neighbor was bit by a dog.

16. After cleaning the dishes, we were ready to relax for the evening.

17. When he was four years old, Jerry’s father taught him how to read.

18. After studying hard, the test was easy.

19. After borrowing from all his friends, he still didn’t have enough money to pay his rent.

20. Angered by the judge’s decision, a chair was thrown across the room by the defendant.

21. I bought a great birthday gift for my brother on the internet.

22. While cooking her famous holiday dinner, Tim noticed that his mom seemed tired.