What is the difference between misplaced and dangling?

A misplaced modifier sits next to the wrong word, but the right word is somewhere in the sentence and moving the phrase fixes it. A dangling modifier has no grammatical subject it can attach to, so you have to add one.

What grade is this taught in?

Correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers is a seventh grade standard, though the only/just placement problems are worth practicing earlier.

Why do these questions sound absurd?

Deliberately. A sentence that puts a moose behind the wheel is memorable, and once a student hears the wrong reading out loud they stop producing it.

Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers Worksheets

A modifier describes whatever it sits next to. Put it in the wrong place and the sentence says something the writer never meant — usually something funny, which is exactly what makes it stick.

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7th Grade Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers Practice

Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

Circle the correct answer.

1.
Which sentence keeps the plates away from the children?
She served sandwiches to the children on paper plates.She served sandwiches on paper plates to the children.
2.
In "We nearly lost all our luggage," what does nearly describe?
lostall our luggage
3.
Which sentence says the man, not the telescope, was on the hill?
The man used a telescope standing on the hill.Standing on the hill, the man used a telescope.
4.
Which sentence attaches the opening phrase correctly?
Walking to school, the broken fence was noticed.Walking to school, I noticed the broken fence.

Follow the directions for each sentence.

5.
I read about the earthquake on the bus. (write which two things the sentence confusingly connects)
6.
Rusty and bent, Jake threw away the old bicycle. (write which noun the opening phrase should be next to)

Rewrite each sentence following the directions in brackets.

7.
He returned the shirt to the store that was too small. (move the phrase so it describes the shirt)
8.
She almost drove her kids to school every day. (rewrite so it means she drove them on most days)
9.
Covered in chocolate, my sister ate the strawberries. (rewrite so the strawberries are the ones covered in chocolate)
10.
He only eats vegetables on Tuesdays. (rewrite so it means Tuesday is the only day he eats them)
11.
Barking loudly, the mail carrier backed away from the dog. (rewrite so the dog is the one barking)
12.
Buried under the papers, I finally found my keys. (rewrite so the keys are buried)

Each sentence has at least one mistake. Write the sentence correctly.

13.
Torn and muddy, Ana found her jacket behind the shed.
14.
Running down the street, the backpack fell off his shoulder.
15.
After finishing the test, the bell rang.

Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers: the rules these questions test

Keep the modifier beside what it describes: "Covered in chocolate, my sister ate the strawberries" puts the chocolate on the sister. Move the phrase next to the strawberries.
A dangling modifier describes nothing at all: The sentence offers no subject the phrase can correctly attach to. "After finishing the test, the bell rang" — the bell did not take the test. Name who did: "After we finished the test, the bell rang."
only, just, almost and nearly move the meaning: "She almost drove her kids to school every day" says she nearly drove them. "She drove her kids to school almost every day" is what was meant.
Opening -ing phrases attach to the subject: Whatever follows the comma has to be the thing doing the -ing. "Walking to school, I noticed the fence" works; "Walking to school, the fence was noticed" does not.

Questions parents and teachers ask

What is the difference between misplaced and dangling?: A misplaced modifier sits next to the wrong word, but the right word is somewhere in the sentence and moving the phrase fixes it. A dangling modifier has no grammatical subject it can attach to, so you have to add one.
What grade is this taught in?: Correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers is a seventh grade standard, though the only/just placement problems are worth practicing earlier.
Why do these questions sound absurd?: Deliberately. A sentence that puts a moose behind the wheel is memorable, and once a student hears the wrong reading out loud they stop producing it.