Dangling modifiers | Syntax | Khan Academy
TLDRThis video script delves into the concept of dangling modifiers, which are phrases or words that describe another element in a sentence but are incorrectly placed, leading to confusion. The hosts, Paige and Rosie, explain that modifiers are typically adjectives or adverbs that should immediately precede the word or phrase they modify. They illustrate the issue with examples, such as a sentence where 'flashing lightning and thunder' incorrectly seems to describe a bunny rather than the storm. The correct sentence structure is provided to eliminate the modifier's ambiguity. Another example involves a sentence where 'running around on his little hamster wheel' mistakenly appears to describe a person named Albert instead of his pet. The hosts advise that when a modifier is at the beginning of a sentence and separated by a comma, it is crucial to ensure it is followed by the noun or phrase it is intended to modify to avoid misinterpretation. The video concludes with a reminder of the importance of proper sentence structure to convey the intended meaning accurately.
Takeaways
- 📚 A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that describes another word or phrase in a sentence.
- 🔍 The primary role of a modifier is to provide additional information about the noun or verb it precedes.
- 🚫 A dangling modifier is a modifier that does not clearly attach to the part of the sentence it is intended to modify.
- 🌟 Examples of modifiers include adjectives, adverbs, and phrases, which should directly precede what they modify.
- 😅 The sentence 'Flashing lightning and thunder, the little bunny struggled through the storm' contains a dangling modifier.
- 💡 The modifier 'flashing lightning and thunder' should logically modify the storm, not the bunny.
- ✍️ To fix a dangling modifier, rewrite the sentence so the modifier directly precedes the noun or phrase it is meant to describe.
- 📝 In the corrected sentence, 'Flashing lightning and thunder, the storm raged as the bunny struggled', the modifier is correctly placed.
- 🧐 When editing, always check that the noun or phrase following a modifier is the one being modified to avoid confusion.
- 🔄 Rearranging the sentence structure, as in 'Running around on his little hamster wheel, the critter exercised while Albert watched', can resolve a dangling modifier issue.
- 📝 Pay close attention to sentence structure, especially when a modifier is at the beginning of a sentence and separated by a comma.
- 🤔 Misplaced modifiers can lead to absurd or unintended meanings, so it's crucial to ensure clarity in writing.
Q & A
What is a dangling modifier?
-A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that describes another word or phrase but is incorrectly placed in a sentence, making it seem as though it's modifying the wrong noun.
What is a modifier?
-A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that describes another word or phrase. Common types of modifiers include adjectives and adverbs.
How should a modifier be positioned in a sentence?
-A modifier should be positioned immediately before the word or phrase it is intended to modify.
What is the example sentence given in the script that contains a dangling modifier?
-The example sentence is 'Flashing lightning and thunder, the little bunny struggled through the storm.'
Why is the phrase 'flashing lightning and thunder' considered a dangling modifier in the example sentence?
-The phrase 'flashing lightning and thunder' is considered a dangling modifier because it is placed before 'the little bunny,' which it is not intended to modify. It should describe the storm instead.
How is the example sentence corrected to remove the dangling modifier?
-The corrected sentence is 'Flashing lightning and thunder, the storm raged as the bunny struggled.' The modifier now correctly precedes the noun it is meant to modify, which is 'the storm.'
What is another example of a dangling modifier provided in the script?
-The second example is 'Running around on his little hamster wheel, Albert watched his pet exercise.' Here, 'running around on his little hamster wheel' is the modifier that is incorrectly positioned before 'Albert.'
How can you identify a dangling modifier when editing a sentence?
-When editing, look for modifiers at the beginning of a sentence that are set off with a comma. Ensure that the noun or phrase following the modifier is the one it is intended to describe.
What is the corrected version of the second example sentence?
-The corrected sentence is 'Running around on his little hamster wheel, the critter exercised while Albert watched.' The modifier now correctly precedes the noun it is meant to modify, which is 'the critter.'
Why is it important to avoid dangling modifiers in writing?
-Avoiding dangling modifiers is important because they can lead to confusion and unintended, sometimes humorous, meanings in sentences.
What is the final advice given in the script for dealing with dangling modifiers?
-The final advice is to pay attention to modifiers at the beginning of sentences and ensure that the noun or phrase following the modifier matches up correctly to avoid confusion and incorrect meanings.
What can happen if you don't fix a dangling modifier in a sentence?
-If you don't fix a dangling modifier, the sentence can convey a wrong or absurd meaning, potentially leading to misinterpretation or confusion for the reader.
Outlines
📚 Introduction to Dangling Modifiers
The video begins with a discussion on dangling modifiers. The hosts, Paige and Rosie, introduce the concept by explaining what a modifier is, which can include adjectives, adverbs, and phrases that describe something else in a sentence. They clarify that a modifier should immediately precede the word or phrase it modifies. A dangling modifier occurs when the modifier does not correctly precede the intended word or phrase, leading to confusion or unintended meanings.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Dangling Modifier
💡Modifier
💡Adjective
💡Adverb
💡Phrase
💡Sentence Structure
💡Editing
💡Grammatical Error
💡Describing
💡Rewrite
💡Context
Highlights
A dangling modifier is a phrase or word that incorrectly appears to modify a word or phrase that it is not actually modifying.
A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that describes another word or phrase.
Adjectives and adverbs are common types of modifiers.
Modifiers should come right before the word or phrase they are modifying.
An example of a dangling modifier is 'Flashing lightning and thunder, the little bunny struggled through the storm.'
The modifier 'flashing lightning and thunder' should describe the storm, not the bunny.
To fix a dangling modifier, rewrite the sentence so the modifier correctly describes the intended noun or phrase.
Revised sentence: 'Flashing lightning and thunder, the storm raged as the bunny struggled.'
Editing for dangling modifiers involves checking that the noun or phrase following the modifier is correctly described.
Sentences with a modifier at the beginning set off with a comma require special attention to avoid dangling.
Another example of a dangling modifier is 'Running around on his little hamster wheel, Albert watched his pet exercise.'
The modifier 'running around on his little hamster wheel' should describe the pet, not Albert.
Corrected sentence: 'Running around on his little hamster wheel, the critter exercised while Albert watched.'
Pay attention to the order of nouns and phrases following a modifier to ensure it is not dangling.
Dangling modifiers can lead to humorous or unintended meanings.
Learning to identify and correct dangling modifiers improves sentence clarity and coherence.
Editing for dangling modifiers is an important skill for writers and editors.
Correct use of modifiers enhances the overall quality and readability of written work.
Transcripts
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