Correcting Ambiguous Modifier Errors - PSAT Writing
Card 1 of 8
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Happily singing, the cows were overseen by a team of carefree ranch hands.
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Happily singing, the cows were overseen by a team of carefree ranch hands.
Tap to reveal answer
The modifying phrase "happily singing" logically refers to the team of carefree ranch hands (cows, as a species, are not known for their musicality), but as the sentence is originally written that phrase modifies "cows." In order to fix the error, the sentence can be phrased in an active voice, making the subject of the sentence the team of ranch hands, which is both the more melodious and grammatically correct option.
The modifying phrase "happily singing" logically refers to the team of carefree ranch hands (cows, as a species, are not known for their musicality), but as the sentence is originally written that phrase modifies "cows." In order to fix the error, the sentence can be phrased in an active voice, making the subject of the sentence the team of ranch hands, which is both the more melodious and grammatically correct option.
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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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Walking briskly, I found the entrance to the park in a matter of minutes.
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Walking briskly, I found the entrance to the park in a matter of minutes.
Tap to reveal answer
In this sentence, the modifying phrase "walking briskly" correctly modifies the subject of the sentence, "I." The modifier in this sentence is clear, and there are no other errors, so the sentence is correct as written. The sentence correctly chooses the use of active voice, as opposed to passive voice, which would be awkward in this situation.
In this sentence, the modifying phrase "walking briskly" correctly modifies the subject of the sentence, "I." The modifier in this sentence is clear, and there are no other errors, so the sentence is correct as written. The sentence correctly chooses the use of active voice, as opposed to passive voice, which would be awkward in this situation.
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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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Happily singing, the cows were overseen by a team of carefree ranch hands.
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Happily singing, the cows were overseen by a team of carefree ranch hands.
Tap to reveal answer
The modifying phrase "happily singing" logically refers to the team of carefree ranch hands (cows, as a species, are not known for their musicality), but as the sentence is originally written that phrase modifies "cows." In order to fix the error, the sentence can be phrased in an active voice, making the subject of the sentence the team of ranch hands, which is both the more melodious and grammatically correct option.
The modifying phrase "happily singing" logically refers to the team of carefree ranch hands (cows, as a species, are not known for their musicality), but as the sentence is originally written that phrase modifies "cows." In order to fix the error, the sentence can be phrased in an active voice, making the subject of the sentence the team of ranch hands, which is both the more melodious and grammatically correct option.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Walking briskly, I found the entrance to the park in a matter of minutes.
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Walking briskly, I found the entrance to the park in a matter of minutes.
Tap to reveal answer
In this sentence, the modifying phrase "walking briskly" correctly modifies the subject of the sentence, "I." The modifier in this sentence is clear, and there are no other errors, so the sentence is correct as written. The sentence correctly chooses the use of active voice, as opposed to passive voice, which would be awkward in this situation.
In this sentence, the modifying phrase "walking briskly" correctly modifies the subject of the sentence, "I." The modifier in this sentence is clear, and there are no other errors, so the sentence is correct as written. The sentence correctly chooses the use of active voice, as opposed to passive voice, which would be awkward in this situation.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Happily singing, the cows were overseen by a team of carefree ranch hands.
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Happily singing, the cows were overseen by a team of carefree ranch hands.
Tap to reveal answer
The modifying phrase "happily singing" logically refers to the team of carefree ranch hands (cows, as a species, are not known for their musicality), but as the sentence is originally written that phrase modifies "cows." In order to fix the error, the sentence can be phrased in an active voice, making the subject of the sentence the team of ranch hands, which is both the more melodious and grammatically correct option.
The modifying phrase "happily singing" logically refers to the team of carefree ranch hands (cows, as a species, are not known for their musicality), but as the sentence is originally written that phrase modifies "cows." In order to fix the error, the sentence can be phrased in an active voice, making the subject of the sentence the team of ranch hands, which is both the more melodious and grammatically correct option.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Walking briskly, I found the entrance to the park in a matter of minutes.
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Walking briskly, I found the entrance to the park in a matter of minutes.
Tap to reveal answer
In this sentence, the modifying phrase "walking briskly" correctly modifies the subject of the sentence, "I." The modifier in this sentence is clear, and there are no other errors, so the sentence is correct as written. The sentence correctly chooses the use of active voice, as opposed to passive voice, which would be awkward in this situation.
In this sentence, the modifying phrase "walking briskly" correctly modifies the subject of the sentence, "I." The modifier in this sentence is clear, and there are no other errors, so the sentence is correct as written. The sentence correctly chooses the use of active voice, as opposed to passive voice, which would be awkward in this situation.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Happily singing, the cows were overseen by a team of carefree ranch hands.
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Happily singing, the cows were overseen by a team of carefree ranch hands.
Tap to reveal answer
The modifying phrase "happily singing" logically refers to the team of carefree ranch hands (cows, as a species, are not known for their musicality), but as the sentence is originally written that phrase modifies "cows." In order to fix the error, the sentence can be phrased in an active voice, making the subject of the sentence the team of ranch hands, which is both the more melodious and grammatically correct option.
The modifying phrase "happily singing" logically refers to the team of carefree ranch hands (cows, as a species, are not known for their musicality), but as the sentence is originally written that phrase modifies "cows." In order to fix the error, the sentence can be phrased in an active voice, making the subject of the sentence the team of ranch hands, which is both the more melodious and grammatically correct option.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Walking briskly, I found the entrance to the park in a matter of minutes.
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Walking briskly, I found the entrance to the park in a matter of minutes.
Tap to reveal answer
In this sentence, the modifying phrase "walking briskly" correctly modifies the subject of the sentence, "I." The modifier in this sentence is clear, and there are no other errors, so the sentence is correct as written. The sentence correctly chooses the use of active voice, as opposed to passive voice, which would be awkward in this situation.
In this sentence, the modifying phrase "walking briskly" correctly modifies the subject of the sentence, "I." The modifier in this sentence is clear, and there are no other errors, so the sentence is correct as written. The sentence correctly chooses the use of active voice, as opposed to passive voice, which would be awkward in this situation.
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