Under what circumstances do modifiers create a problem in a sentence?*1 pointWhen they modify the wrong thingWhen they're at the beginning of the sentence instead of at the endWhen they're at the end of the sentence instead of at the beginningWhen they're too long
Question
Under what circumstances do modifiers create a problem in a sentence?*1 pointWhen they modify the wrong thingWhen they're at the beginning of the sentence instead of at the endWhen they're at the end of the sentence instead of at the beginningWhen they're too long
Solution
Modifiers can create a problem in a sentence under the following circumstances:
-
When they modify the wrong thing: This is known as a misplaced modifier. It happens when a word or phrase (the modifier) that's meant to describe or clarify a part of the sentence is placed too far away from the thing it's supposed to modify, causing confusion. For example, in the sentence "I saw the dog running down the street in my pajamas," the modifier "in my pajamas" is misplaced because it seems to suggest that the dog is wearing pajamas, which is not the intended meaning.
-
When they're too long: This can make a sentence confusing and hard to follow. If a modifier (especially a modifying phrase or clause) becomes too long or complex, it can make it difficult for the reader to understand what it's referring to. For example, in the sentence "The man, who was wearing a blue suit and had just come from a meeting with his lawyer about the lawsuit that he's been dealing with for over a year, left the building," the modifying clause is so long that it's hard to remember that the main point of the sentence is simply that the man left the building.
The position of the modifier at the beginning or end of the sentence does not inherently create a problem, as long as it is clear what the modifier is referring to.
Similar Questions
What's the main problem with using modifiers incorrectly?*1 pointThey confuse verbsThey make no sense at allThey can completely change the meaning of a sentence and create ambiguityThey change the order of words in a sentence
Three common problems with modifiers include:Group of answer choicesDangling -ing, subject-verb joining, and long modifier strings.Dangling -ing, subject-verb separation, and long modifier strings. Dangling -ing, subject-verb separation, and short modifier strings.None of the above.
What is a modifier?*1 pointA very confusing phraseA word, phrase, or clause that adds in extra information about another part of the sentenceA grammatical mistakeA misleading sentence
One key problem with a long modifier string is that it often slows a reader's comprehension.Group of answer choicesTrueFalse
Consider the ideal length of sentences, and the structure of a series of sentences, in a technical report. According to the guide to technical report writing by the Institution of Engineering and Technology, one of the 10 laws of good report writing is to “ensure your writing is accurate, concise and straightforward” . Which of the following is a good reason for this law?Group of answer choicesWe should get all the information into the writing.If an important point is to be made, a long technical sentence may risk the loss of the important point.A sentence should be no longer than 20% of a paragraph.Sometimes we do not have time to write out long sentences.
Upgrade your grade with Knowee
Get personalized homework help. Review tough concepts in more detail, or go deeper into your topic by exploring other relevant questions.