Read without ads and support Scribd by becoming a Scribd Premium Reader.
See Premium Plans
 
English for Academic Studies (Workshop) Session 7: Misplaced ModifiersSemester 1, 2009/10 ©PolyU HKCC1
Session 7: Misplaced ModifiersPart A: Diagnostic Test
Identify and underline the misplaced modifiers in the following paragraphs.Then, revise these sentences to eliminate errors of misplaced modifiers in thespace between the lines by putting “^” in the correct position.Paragraph 1
After a full day of work, we tend to restfully spend most of our time watchingtelevision because during primetime those dramas and comedy sitcoms are funny andhilarious, and they make us feel more relaxed. However, during these few years manyreality shows are being broadcast as during primetime they have become morepopular among the TV viewing audience. Reality shows are starting to gradually takeover the traditional dramas and comedy sitcoms.
 Paragraph 2
Most of the audience enjoy watching reality shows because they believe whatthey see is the truth about the world in these shows. For example, in “The Survivor”,contestants have to compete and survive in order to win one million dollars on anunknown island. It makes the show more interesting since the people in the show arenot acting. The audience get to see ultimately how those contestants use their talentsto win the game. It is just reflecting our lives in which we have to compete for whatwe want. In other words, it is closer to reality. Due to its popularity, different kinds of reality shows who enjoy watching TV like “The Apprentice”, “The American Idol”,“Big Brothers” are produced to attract more audiences.
 
 
English for Academic Studies (Workshop) Session 7: Misplaced ModifiersSemester 1, 2009/10 ©PolyU HKCC2
 .
Part B: Grammatical Sentences - Review Modifiers
– A modifier is a word or groups of words which describes or identifiesanother word or group of words in the same sentence. It can be a single word, a phrase,or a clause.
 
Modifiers of Nouns
- A modifier may provide more information about a noun.More technically, they could be called “adjectivals”.
 
Hong Kong is an international city [single word].
 
Firms from all over the world establish offices in Hong Kong [phrase].
 
Only those applicants who have passed the English proficiency test will beshortlisted for a second interview [clause].
 
Modifiers of Verbs
- A modifier may provide more information about a verb.More technically, they could be called “adverbials”.
 
Having near-native English proficiency can greatly enhance your jobprospects in today’s competitive job market [single word].
 
In this essay, we will analyse the status of English from multiple perspectives[phrase].
 
Since the lecturer could establish a friendly atmosphere in the lesson,students participated actively in the class learning activities [clause].
Misplaced Modifiers
- A modifier which is placed in a wrong position can distort themeaning and thus confuse readers. You may avoid misplaced modifier problems byputting modifiers as close as possible to the words being modified:
 
Place modifiers such as
even, only, merely, almost, nearly, just 
immediately before the words they modify.
 Example:
 Misplaced Modifier:
The presenter speaks too soft; the audiences sitting in thefront can only hear him. [
Only
intends to modify
the audiences.
Nevertheless,because of its position, it appears to modify
hear 
in this sentence.]
 Revision:
The presenter speaks too soft; only the audiences sitting in the front canhear him.
 
Place clause modifiers beginning with who, which or that immediately after the words they modify.
 Example:
  Misplaced Modifier:
The student received full marks in the test who is alwayspunctual to the class. [
who is always punctual to the class
intends to modify
the
 
English for Academic Studies (Workshop) Session 7: Misplaced ModifiersSemester 1, 2009/10 ©PolyU HKCC3
student.
Nevertheless, because of its position, it appears to modify
the test 
in thissentence.]
 Revision:
The student who is always punctual to the class received full marks inthe test.
 
 Avoid inserting a modifier between “to” and the verb that follows [spiltinfinitives].
 Example:
  Misplaced Modifier:
As tropical cyclone signal #8 has just been hoisted, thelecturer asks the students
 
 to
 
quickly but calmly
 
leave
.
 Revision:
As tropical cyclone signal #8 has just been hoisted, the lecturer asks thestudents
 
 to
 
leave
quickly but calmly.
 
 Avoid positioning a modifier in a place where its meaning is ambiguous, i.e.describing both what precedes and what follows them.
 Example:
  Misplaced Modifier:
Tommy
 said 
after the examination he
wanted 
to ask thelecturer for the model answers. [Did Tommy say this
after the examination
? Ordid he have the desire to ask the lecturer for the model answers after theexamination?]Depending on the meaning you want, we may revise this misplaced modifierproblem in either way:
 Revision i):
After the examination, Tommy
 said 
he wanted
 
to ask the lecturer forthe model answers. [
after the examination
describing
said 
].
 Revision ii)
: Tommy said he
wanted 
to ask the lecturer for the model answers afterthe examination. [
after the examination
describing
wanted 
].
 
Part C: Concept Boosting Exercises
Exercise C1:
 
Identify and underline the modifiers in the following sentences.Then, circle the word(s) being modified.
1.
 
I do not think anyone can succeed without love.2.
 
If you lack passion for your work, you will not succeed.3.
 
Falling in love with your work can make a person perform better.4.
 
Michael Jordan, a famous American basketball player who played 1072 gamesand ended his career with 32,292 points, said in his retirement, “What is love?Love is playing every game as my last.”
Search
Search History:
Searching...
Result 00 of 00
00 results for result for
  • p.
    • Notes
    Load more