SAT Practice Tutorials
Modifiers - Misplaced and Dangling
What Are Modifiers? (with Examples)A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause which functions as an adjective or an adverb to describe a word or make its meaning more specific.Examples of ModifiersModifiers can play the roles of adjectives or adverbs.
Modifiers As Adjectives
When a modifier is an adjective, it modifies a noun or a pronoun. (In these examples, the modifiers are underlined, and the words being modified are bold).
When a modifier is an adverb, it modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. For example:
Modifiers As Adjectives
When a modifier is an adjective, it modifies a noun or a pronoun. (In these examples, the modifiers are underlined, and the words being modified are bold).
- Lee caught a small mackerel.
- (Here, the adjective small modifies the noun mackerel.)
- Lee caught another one.
- (Here, the adjective another modifies the pronoun one.)
When a modifier is an adverb, it modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. For example:
- Lee accidentally caught a small whelk.
- (Here, the adverb accidentally modifies the verb caught.)
- Lee caught an incredibly small mackerel.
- (Here, the adverb incredibly modifies the adjective small.)
- Lee supposedly accidentally caught a small whelk.
- (Here, the adverb supposedly modifies the adverb accidentally.)
- Lee caught a mackerel smaller than a Mars bar.
- (This is an adjective phrase modifying the noun mackerel.)
- Lee caught a mackerel of tiny proportions.
- (This is a prepositional phrase functioning as an adjective. It modifies the noun mackerel.)
- Lee caught a mackerel which was smaller than a Mars bar.
- (This is an adjective clause modifying mackerel.)
- When alone, Lee tried to catch mackerel.
- (This is an adverbial phrase (of time) modifying the verb tried.)
- When we left him alone, Lee set up his rod to catch mackerel.
- (This is an adverbial clause (of time) modifying the verb set up.)
Imprecise and Redundant Writing
Parallel Structure
SAT Reading Comprehension Practice - Prose Fiction
Reading Passage Tips
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