SAT Writing › Identifying Misplaced or Interrupting Modifier Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Ryan was elated to find the diamond men's chain on the street, but decided it would be more prudent to find out whom it belonged to than to keep it himself. No error
diamond men's chain
was elated
whom
than to
No error
The word "diamond" in the phrase "diamond men's chain" is a misplaced modifier. In its current placement in the sentence, "diamond" looks to be modifying "men's" instead of properly modifying chain. To fix it, we would move the modifier so that the phrase becomes "men's diamond chain."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When I passed the shop window, I saw a silver woman’s locket that would be perfect for my aunt’s birthday. No error
silver woman’s locket
passed
would be
window,
No error
Here, the word “silver” is a misplaced modifier. It’s the locket that’s silver, not the woman, so the correct wording would be a “woman’s silver locket.”
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The state is rightfully very hesitant to give teenagers drivers' licenses who have not had training, as there is a higher chance of those teenagers getting into accidents. No error
who have not had training
rightfully
there is
of those teenagers
No error
In the current form of the sentence, the phrase "who have not had training" is incorrectly modifying "drivers' licenses." Instead, the phrase should modify "teenagers" ("teenagers who have not had training").
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Hansel and Gretel were lured into going into the candy witch's house, which was made of gingerbread and various kinds of sweets; because of their hunger, they were not aware of the trap the witch had set until it was nearly too late. No error
candy witch's house
were lured
were not aware
nearly too late
No error
The phrase "candy witch's house" is incorrect because it is the house that is made of candy, not the witch. Therefore, we must move the modifier "candy" in the phrase to correctly refer to "house" - "witch's candy house."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
We couldn't believe how many ingredients Kelly was able to fit into that chicken giant burrito, and we immediately knew we couldn't finish it in one meal. No error
chicken giant burrito
couldn't believe
was able
immediately
No error
In the phrase "chicken giant burrito," it appears that "chicken" is improperly modifying "giant." The phrase "giant chicken burrito" corrects this misplaced modifier error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Marilyn brought her old red sneakers to the thrift store, which were faded on the sides but otherwise still had strong soles. No error
which were faded on the sides but otherwise still had strong soles
her old
to
thrift store
No error
The phrase "which were faded on the sides but otherwise still had strong soles" is a misplaced modifier—it is currently modifying "the thrift store," but should instead be modifying "sneakers."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
We didn't have to look too hard for the owner of the green striped men's socks; only Jeremy would ever wear socks that tacky. No error
green striped men's socks
too hard
would ever
socks that tacky
No error
In the sentence above, the adjectives "green" and "striped" are intended to modify "socks" but have been misplaced to modify "men's" instead.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
We can’t give juice to any of the children in glass bottles; someone might drop one and break it. No error
in glass bottles
any
someone
one
No error
The "children" aren’t in glass bottles; the "juice" is. Therefore, “in glass bottles” is a misplaced modifier and should be moved next to the noun it modifies.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I’m looking for the torn biology teacher’s manual so I can replace it with a new one. No error
torn
manual
so
a new
No error
It’s not the biology teacher who’s torn; it’s the manual. Therefore, “torn” is a misplaced modifier and should be moved directly next to the phrase it modifies.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It is possible that James will have been able to afford the vacation if he had saved more of his money. No error
will have
been able
if
had saved
No error
The phrases “been able” and “had saved” are both referring to something that did or could have happened in the past. In keeping with the same tense, “will have” should be in the conditional form that would correctly describe a possibility in the past—“would have.”