ACT English Sentence Structure Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

What This Is and Why It Matters for the ACT

Sentence Structure — Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers appears in the English section of the ACT. This topic is a common trap for students, appearing on about 30% of English tests. It's a moderate to advanced topic, so be prepared to spend some time on it.

Key Concepts (What You Must Know)

• A modifier is a word or phrase that describes or modifies another word or phrase in a sentence.
• A misplaced modifier is a modifier that is placed too far away from the word it is supposed to modify.
• A dangling modifier is a modifier that is not clearly connected to the word it is supposed to modify.
• A dependent clause is a clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
• A independent clause is a clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Step-by-Step Strategy for This Topic

1. Read the sentence carefully to identify the underlined portion.
2. Ask yourself: "What word or phrase is the modifier supposed to modify?"
3. Check if the modifier is clearly connected to the word it is supposed to modify.
4. If the modifier is not clearly connected, try to rephrase the sentence to make it clearer.
5. Eliminate answer choices that have obvious grammatical errors.
6. Check your work by reading the sentence again and making sure the modifier is clearly connected to the word it is supposed to modify.
7. Spend about 1-2 minutes on each question.

How It’s Tested on the ACT

In the English section, you will see sentences or passages with underlined portions. You will need to identify and correct any grammatical errors, including misplaced and dangling modifiers. The question will ask you to select the answer choice that best corrects the error.

Common Mistakes & Exam Traps

• The mistake: Placing a modifier too far away from the word it is supposed to modify.
• Why it happens: Students often rush through the question and don't take the time to carefully read the sentence.
• How to avoid it: Take your time and carefully read the sentence to identify the underlined portion and the word it is supposed to modify.
• Exam board insight: The ACT examiners are looking for clear and concise sentences, so make sure to choose the answer choice that best corrects the error.
• The mistake: Not recognizing a dangling modifier.
• Why it happens: Students often don't recognize that a modifier is not clearly connected to the word it is supposed to modify.
• How to avoid it: Read the sentence carefully and ask yourself if the modifier is clearly connected to the word it is supposed to modify.
• The mistake: Not eliminating answer choices with obvious grammatical errors.
• Why it happens: Students often don't take the time to carefully read the answer choices.
• How to avoid it: Take your time and carefully read each answer choice before selecting the correct one.
• The mistake: Not rephrasing the sentence to make it clearer.
• Why it happens: Students often don't take the time to rephrase the sentence to make it clearer.
• How to avoid it: Take the time to rephrase the sentence to make it clearer and more concise.

Practice Questions (3-5 questions)

Question 1:
The new employee, who was very nervous, walked into the meeting room.
A) No change B) The new employee, who was very nervous, walked into the meeting room, and everyone stared at her.
C) Who was very nervous, the new employee walked into the meeting room.
D) The new employee, who was very nervous, walked into the meeting room, and everyone stared at her nervously.
E) The new employee walked into the meeting room, who was very nervous.

Answer: A) No change Explanation: The modifier "who was very nervous" is clearly connected to the word "the new employee".

Question 2:
By the time I arrived, the party had already started.
A) No change B) The party had already started by the time I arrived.
C) I arrived by the time the party had already started.
D) The party started by the time I arrived.
E) I started the party by the time it had already started.

Answer: A) No change Explanation: The modifier "by the time I arrived" is clearly connected to the word "the party".

Question 3:
The teacher, who was very tired, gave a lecture.
A) No change B) The teacher gave a lecture, who was very tired.
C) Who was very tired, the teacher gave a lecture.
D) The teacher, who was very tired, gave a lecture, and everyone fell asleep.
E) The teacher gave a lecture, who was very tired, and everyone fell asleep.

Answer: A) No change Explanation: The modifier "who was very tired" is clearly connected to the word "the teacher".

Quick Reference Card (60-Second Summary)

• A modifier is a word or phrase that describes or modifies another word or phrase in a sentence.
• A misplaced modifier is a modifier that is placed too far away from the word it is supposed to modify.
• A dangling modifier is a modifier that is not clearly connected to the word it is supposed to modify.
• Take your time and carefully read the sentence to identify the underlined portion and the word it is supposed to modify.
• Eliminate answer choices that have obvious grammatical errors.
• Choose the answer choice that best corrects the error.

If You Get Stuck on Test Day

• If you don't know the answer, eliminate answer choices that have obvious grammatical errors.
• Take a deep breath and read the sentence carefully again.
• If you still can't answer the question, move on to the next one.
• Spend about 1-2 minutes on each question.

Related ACT Topics

• Parallel Structure: This topic is closely related to sentence structure and modifiers. Make sure to review parallel structure before taking the ACT.
• Subject-Verb Agreement: This topic is also closely related to sentence structure and modifiers. Make sure to review subject-verb agreement before taking the ACT.
• Punctuation: This topic is also closely related to sentence structure and modifiers. Make sure to review punctuation before taking the ACT.