What Do I Capitalize?
MODIFIERS
helpful handout
Student Directions: Read this handout to learn about misplaced and dangling modifiers and how to avoid them!
But before we get too much into that, let's back up and review phrases and clauses.
Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that describe or define something in a sentence.
clauses
A clause is a group of words that work together as a unit. Every clause has a subject and a verb, but there are two types:
phrases
A phrase, unlike a clause, does not have both a subject and a verb. It can have one or the other, but not both.
01
independent
Read more
EXAMPLES:
02
dependent
NO SUBJECT
there is
MORE!
Read more
NO VERB
Click here when you understand phrases + clauses and are ready to learn about modifiers.
Words like these often begin dependent clauses:
Although,
Before, After, Since, Because, While, Until, If, Since, As
Click here to find out!
Okay, back to modifiers. Again, modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that describe or define something in a sentence.
Misplaced Modifiers
A misplaced modifier is too far away from the word, phrase, or clause it's supposed to modify. This causes the reader some confusion. It’s a concept that is better explained with examples, so here is one below. The modifier is in bold, and the part of the sentence it’s supposed to modify is underlined.
DANGLING MODIFIERS
Dangling modifiers occur when the subject in an introductory phrase is not given, which causes confusion. Take a look at the examples below to see what we mean.
incorrect
Can you tell why this sentence might be confusing?
incorrect
Can you tell why this sentence might be confusing?
The sister gave a gift to her brother that was gigantic.
Read more
Read more
While reading a book, the sun went down.
correct
How could we fix this?
While Shery was reading a book, the sun went down.
correct
How could we fix this?
correct
The sister gave her brother a gift that was gigantic.
Read more
While reading a book, Sherry didn't notice the sun had gone down.
Modifiers Handout
Caitlin Mitchell
Created on February 3, 2022
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Transcript
What Do I Capitalize?
MODIFIERS
helpful handout
Student Directions: Read this handout to learn about misplaced and dangling modifiers and how to avoid them!
But before we get too much into that, let's back up and review phrases and clauses.
Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that describe or define something in a sentence.
clauses
A clause is a group of words that work together as a unit. Every clause has a subject and a verb, but there are two types:
phrases
A phrase, unlike a clause, does not have both a subject and a verb. It can have one or the other, but not both.
01
independent
Read more
EXAMPLES:
02
dependent
NO SUBJECT
there is
MORE!
Read more
NO VERB
Click here when you understand phrases + clauses and are ready to learn about modifiers.
Words like these often begin dependent clauses: Although, Before, After, Since, Because, While, Until, If, Since, As
Click here to find out!
Okay, back to modifiers. Again, modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that describe or define something in a sentence.
Misplaced Modifiers
A misplaced modifier is too far away from the word, phrase, or clause it's supposed to modify. This causes the reader some confusion. It’s a concept that is better explained with examples, so here is one below. The modifier is in bold, and the part of the sentence it’s supposed to modify is underlined.
DANGLING MODIFIERS
Dangling modifiers occur when the subject in an introductory phrase is not given, which causes confusion. Take a look at the examples below to see what we mean.
incorrect
Can you tell why this sentence might be confusing?
incorrect
Can you tell why this sentence might be confusing?
The sister gave a gift to her brother that was gigantic.
Read more
Read more
While reading a book, the sun went down.
correct
How could we fix this?
While Shery was reading a book, the sun went down.
correct
How could we fix this?
correct
The sister gave her brother a gift that was gigantic.
Read more
While reading a book, Sherry didn't notice the sun had gone down.