Modifier Examples Flashcards
INCORRECT:
Upon setting foot in the Gothic cathedral, the spectacularly stained-glass windows amazed the camera-wielding tourists.
CORRECTION:
Upon setting foot in the Gothic cathedral, the camera-wielding tourists were amazed by the spectacular stained-glass windows.
The modifier is modifying “camera-wielding tourist” and needs to come after the comma.
INCORRECT:
People that are well-informed know that Bordeaux is a French region whose most famous export is the wine which bears its name
CORRECTION:
People who are well-informed know that Bordeaux is a French region whose most famous export is the wine that bears its name.
“that” cannot refer to people. (who refers to people)
INCORRECT:
People, who talk loudly on their cell phones in crowded trains, show little respect for other passengers.
CORRECTION:
People who talk loudly on their cell phones in crowded trains show little respect for other passengers.
Anytime a clause is enclosed in commas it is considered a “non-essential” clause (a clause not needed) Removing this non-essential clause would cause the sentence to be logical and lose it’s meaning.
INCORRECT:
Unaccustomed to the rigors of college life, James’ grades dropped.
CORRECTION:
Unaccustomed to the rigors of college life, James allowed his grades to drop.
Possessive nouns cannot be modified. In the error, grades is the item being incorrectly modified.
INCORRECT:
Regina returned the dress to the store, which was torn at one of the seams.
CORRECTION:
Regina returned the dress, which was torn at one of the seams, to the store.
The modifier is incorrectly modifying “the store” instead of the dress. Shifting the modifier, corrects this error.
INCORRECT:
The patient’s rare disease was treated using novel techniques developed at the medical school
CORRECTION:
The patient’s rare disease was treated by a doctor using novel techniques developed at the medical school.
The techniques did not cure the rare disease without being administered by some agent, such as a doctor or physician.
