Using Modifiers

1
Using Modifiers

• Keeping All Your Ideas on Track

2
Definitions Modifier

• Modifier A word that provides information about
  another word in the sentence.
• The student sitting in the front row is asleep.

3
Definitions Present Participle modifier

• Present participle the ing form of a verb
• Walking quickly into the room, the teacher
  started her lecture.

Present participle modifier shows what teacher
was doing
4
Definitions Past Participle Modifier

• Past Participle the past tense form of a verb
  (often ending in d or ed)
• Frightened by the doctor, the baby began
  screaming.

Past participle modifier shows how baby felt
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First Rule for Modifiers

• Be sure that the modifier points to a word in the
  sentence. Dont let your modifier dangle.
• Working hard, my test scores improved quickly.
• Working hard, I improved my test scores quickly.

NO
YES
6
Second Rule for Modifiers

• Keep your modifiers as close as possible to the
  words they are describing.
• I caught an elephant in my pajamas. (How he got
  in my pajamas Ill never know.)

7
Try a few!

• Written at the last minute, I only got a C- on my
  essay.
• Written at the last minute, my essay only got a
  C-.
• I gave the computer to my friend that was always
  breaking down.
• I gave the computer that was always breaking down
  to my friend.

8
And one last warning

• Dont let your As dangle!
• As a senior counselor, my paperwork is
  overwhelming.
• As a senior counselor, I find the paperwork
  overwhelming.

no