ACT English › Modifier Placement Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Caring for a pet, responsibility is something children can learn.
Responsibility is something children can learn by caring for a pet.
Caring for a pet, responsibility is something children can learn.
Caring for a pet responsibility is something children can learn.
Caring for a pet, responsibility is learned by children.
Caring for a pet, responsibility is something children learn.
With the sentence phrased the way it is, the thing that is "caring for a pet" appears to be "responsibility." This dangling modifier needs to be changed to make it clear that "children" are "caring for a pet." The correct answer choice is "Responsibility is something children can learn by caring for a pet."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Coming back to the farm, the gruesome scene was seen by everyone in the car.
everyone in the car saw the gruesome scene.
the gruesome scene was seen by everyone in the car.
the gruesome scene saw by everyone in the car.
the gruesome scene was seen by everyone at the car.
the gruesome scene being seen by everyone in the car.
The sentence is written with a dangling modifier, which makes the sentence read as though the "gruesome scene" was what was "coming back to the farm." The sentence needs to be restructured to clarify this problem. The only answer choice that does this is "everyone in the car saw the gruesome scene."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Moving into his new house, the wallpaper was completely renovated by the homeowner.
the homeowner completely renovated the wallpaper.
the wallpaper were completely renovated by the homeowner.
the wallpaper was completely renovated by the homeowner.
the wallpaper were completely renovation by the homeowner.
the wallpaper completely renovated by the homeowner.
The sentence is written in such a way that it makes it seem like "the wallpaper" was "moving into his new house." The sentence needs to be rearranged to show that the "homeowner" is actually the one doing the moving. The only answer choice that does this is "the homeowner completely renovated the wallpaper."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Making plenty of mistakes, the project was taken away from the young associate.
The project was taken away from the young associate because he was making plenty of mistakes.
Making plenty of mistakes, the project was taken away from the young associate.
Making plenty of mistakes so the project was taken away from the young associate.
Making plenty of mistakes, the project being taken away from the young associate.
The project was taken away from the young associate because it made plenty of mistakes.
The sentence is written in such a way to make it seem like the "project" was "making plenty of mistakes." The sentence needs to be reworded and restructured to show that it was "the young associate" who was "making plenty of mistakes." The correct answer choice is the only answer choice that makes this clear, "The project was taken away from the young associate because he was making plenty of mistakes."
As the class entered the museum, Ms. Johnson noticed that two of her students had fallen behind the group. After all of the tickets had been secured, she approached the two girls, saying: “what on Earth is causing you to go so slow?” The taller girl, whose name was Ashley, was the first to respond:
“Veronica and I were just discussing something very private. Nobody can hear what her and I are discussing.”
“Well, Ashley, I think that our tour guide, Dr. Mitchell, will be offended by your behavior. You and Veronica should find separate places in the group and you should pay attention to him and me.”
The two girls reluctantly joined the rest of the class. Ms. Johnson looked to see if another student was out of their place, but everything seemed to be in order. The tour guide, Dr. Mitchell, introduced himself to the class:
“Hello everyone! My name is Dr. Mitchell. I’m so glad that you have all come to the Museum of Natural History today; I think you’ll really enjoy our exhibits, which have been curated with the utmost care. The museum has three distinct types of exhibitions. Permanent exhibitions, temporary exhibitions, and space shows. The permanent exhibition and the space show is always available for viewing, but the temporary exhibition changes seasonally.“
Having finished his introduction, the permanent exhibition was the first thing that Dr. Mitchell showed to the class.
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Having finished his introduction, Dr. Mitchell first showed the class the permanent exhibition.
NO CHANGE
Having finished his introduction, the permanent exhibition was the first thing showed to the class.
Having finished introducing the permanent exhibition Dr. Mitchell showed the permanent exhibition to the class first.
This modifier, "having finished his introduction," is misplaced in the original text. The modifier describes Dr. Mitchell, not the exhibition, so it is Dr. Mitchell who should appear directly after the modifier. This is why the correct answer reads, "Having finished his introduction, Dr. Mitchell . . ." If we do not place the subject of the modifier directly after it, we have created a misplaced modifier (such as in the original text).
Even now, I don't have a car. Instead, I take the bus. Every morning, after getting ready, the bus picks me up at a corner a few minutes' walk from my house.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose “NO CHANGE.”
after I get ready
NO CHANGE
when ready
after having gotten ready
The way this sentence is currently written, it sounds like the bus “gets ready” and then picks up the narrator; however, given the context, it would make more sense that the narrator is the one “getting ready.” To fix this sentence, we should specify who is really getting ready. The best replacement for the underlined phrase is to say “after I get ready.”
When I was little, my family lived far from my school, and I had to get up very early to catch the school bus. In the winter, I waited for the bus in the dark. Sometimes I looked up at the stars. One cold morning, waiting in the dark, a meteor left a bright trail in the black sky.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose “NO CHANGE.”
as I waited in the dark, a meteor left a bright trail in the black sky.
NO CHANGE
a meteor left a bright trail in the black sky, waiting in the dark.
a meteor, waiting in the dark, left a bright trail in the black sky.
The way this sentence is currently worded, the phrase “waiting in the dark” sounds like it is describing the meteor; however, from the context, we know that it is actually the narrator who was waiting in the dark. To better communicate this idea, we can rephrase the sentence to specify who was waiting: “as I waited in the dark, a meteor left a bright trail in the black sky.”
On the weekends, I enjoy hiking, baking, dancing, and to spend time with my friends. Most of all, however, I love to run. I never thought of myself as a talented runner. However, when Jenna moved to my neighborhood, she inspired me to join the track team and find my stride. We met when we were both walking to class, and when I asked Jenna about her elective classes, she enthusiastically began talking about the track team. “You should join”! she exclaimed. I told her I’m not a very good runner, and she responded that anybody could be a decent runner with enough practice and the right attitude.
We started practicing after school and on weekends, and eventually I decided to try out for the team. To my surprise, I made the cut. Even though everybody else had a faster finish time than me, I enjoyed being part of the first race of the semester.
Because she is both dedicated and naturally talented, Jenna is the better runner on the entire team. Despite her success, she is never arrogant and always willing to help others develop their athletic skills. When all of the high schools in the state send they’re top three runners to the championship, everyone on the team travel to support Jenna.
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded and underlined portion of the passage. If the bolded and underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
a faster finish time than I did,
a faster finish time then me,
a faster finish time then I did,
NO CHANGE
a faster finish time than myself,
The two things being compared are everybody else's finish times and the narrator's finish time. As written, the sentence is comparing finish times to the narrator herself. The correct answer choice clarifies that it is the narrator's finish time that is being compared (and also correctly uses the comparative "than" instead of then). "A faster finish time than mine" would also be grammatically correct.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
One summer evening, fishing at the lake, rain began to pour from the sky.
while I was fishing at the lake, rain began to pour
while fishing at the lake, rain began to pour
during fishing at the lake, rain began to pour
NO CHANGE
fishing at the lake, rain pouring
The sentence as written makes it unclear who was "fishing at the lake," was it the rain? That doesn't make sense, rain can't fish! The correct answer clarifies that "I" was fishing while rain began to pour.
Over winter break, our AP Spanish class took a trip to South America to practice the language and learn more about different Spanish-speaking cultures. Before we left, every student had to get their vaccinations for yellow fever and typhoid. Our first stop was Bolivia. When we landed at El Alto airport the highest in the world, we could see the city of La Paz sprawling up the hillsides in the shadow of the Andes. The first day in La Paz, we went to the Witches’s Market,run by local yatiri. The yatiri are medical practitioners who perform healing rituals in they’re communities. At the market, we saw dried frogs, llama fetuses, herbs, and seeds, used in various rituals. After we visited La Paz, we traveled to Cochabamba. Cochabamba is Bolivia’s culinary capital, with delicious specialties such as salteñas and rellenos. In Cochabamba, we also climbed 1400 steps to see the Cristo de La Concordia statue, the tallest of it’s kind in South America. Next, we visited the salt flats of Uyuni. Several lagoons dotted the high desert landscape, some of who were full of flamingos!
On our way out of Bolivia, we stopped at Lake Titicaca on the Peruvian border. Because the lake’s elevation is over 12,000 feet, some of my classmates experienced a bit of altitude sickness. Despite the altitude sickness, everyone said they loved seeing the beautiful scenery and visiting the mysterious “floating islands” made of reeds. When we crossed the border into Peru, one of my classmates thought she had lost her passport. I would of had a panic attack! She ended up finding it buried in a pocket of her backpack and we were on our way.
My favorite part of Peru was our trek to the ancient Incan ruins of Machu Picchu. We spent four days hiking in the Andes on a trail to the ruins. Our guides, whom spoke Spanish, English, and Quechua, were very knowledgeable about the history, flora, and fauna in the region. Upon waking up the next morning, a beautiful sunrise greeted us and cast the mountains in its soft pink glow. After we explored the ruins, we took a train ride back to Cuzco. The next day, we flew to Lima and prepared to return home. I was sad to leave, but I know I would be back some day!
Select the answer choice that best corrects the bolded underlined portion of the passage. If the sentence is correct as written, select NO CHANGE.
we saw a beautiful sunrise that cast the mountains in a soft pink glow.
was seen by us a beautiful sunrise that cast the mountains in a soft pink glow.
a beautiful sunrise was our greeting that cast the mountains in a soft pink glow.
NO CHANGE
a beautiful sunrise that cast the mountains in a soft pink glow was our greeting.
The sentence as written implies that the sunrise was waking up, not the students. To correct this ambiguous modifier, you need an answer choice that makes it clear that the students woke up and saw the sunrise (it wouldn't make any sense for the sunrise to be the one doing the waking up!). You could also have said "we were greeted by a sunrise...." but this uses passive voice (we were greeted) rather than active voice, so the active voice "we saw...." is preferable.