SAT Writing : Correcting Dangling Modifier Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Correcting Dangling Modifier Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Coming back to the farm, the gruesome scene was seen by everyone in the car.
the gruesome scene was seen by everyone in the car.
the gruesome scene being seen by everyone in the car.
everyone in the car saw the gruesome scene.
the gruesome scene saw by everyone in the car.
the gruesome scene was seen by everyone at the car.
everyone in the car saw the gruesome scene.
The sentence is written with a dangling modifier, which makes the sentence read as though the "gruesome scene" was what was "coming back to the farm." The sentence needs to be restructured to clarify this problem. The only answer choice that does this is "everyone in the car saw the gruesome scene."
Example Question #231 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Waiting for the crucial trial to begin, the anxiety Neil felt was almost overwhelming.
the anxiety Neil felt was almost overwhelming.
Neil's anxiety felt almost overwhelming.
Neil felt almost overwhelmed with anxiety.
the anxiety almost overwhelmed Neil.
the anxiety being felt by Neil was almost overwhelming.
Neil felt almost overwhelmed with anxiety.
When a sentence begins with a dangling participle or descriptive phrase, the person or thing described in that phrase (in this case, "Neil") must immediately follow it. Only one answer choice does this correctly. The answer choice that begins "Neil's anxiety" may appear to do so, but it does not, because the possessive "Neil's" is no longer the subject, but is describing the anxiety.
Example Question #1841 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers came clearly into view across the river.
Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers come clearly into view across the river.
Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers came clearly into view across the river.
Comes around the corner, the skyscrapers came clearly into view across the river.
Coming around the corner, the people got a view of the skyscrapers across the river.
Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers are viewed clearly across the river.
Coming around the corner, the people got a view of the skyscrapers across the river.
The sentence as written contains a dangling modifier, as the construction of the sentence implies the skyscrapers are what is "coming around the corner." The word order can be changed to make this much more clear. The correct answer is "Coming around the corner, the people got a view of the skyscrapers across the river."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Dangling Modifier Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Coming upon the hills, the sun began setting behind the travelers.
As the travelers came upon the hill, the sun began setting behind them.
As the sun began setting, travelers coming upon the hills.
Coming upon the hills, the sun set behind the travelers.
Coming upon the hills as the sun began setting begind the travelers.
Coming upon the hills, the sun began setting behind the travelers.
As the travelers came upon the hill, the sun began setting behind them.
The sentence as written contains a dangling modifier, in that "the sun" is not what is "coming upon the hills." The sentence needs to be rewritten to show that the travelers were the ones "coming upon the hills." "As the travelers came upon the hill, the sun began setting behind them," is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Dangling Modifier Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Passing by the waterfront, the ducks and geese floated around as spectators strolled.
the ducks and geese were floating around as spectators strolled.
the ducks and geese floated around as spectators strolled.
spectators strolled as the ducks and geese floated around.
the ducks and geese and spectators floated around and strolled.
spectators strolled but the ducks and geese floated around.
spectators strolled as the ducks and geese floated around.
The best answer fixes the dangling participle that starts the sentence (the subject of the main clause should be the one doing the action described in the opening phrase), and uses a logical coordinator.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Dangling Modifier Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
A power-hungry dictator who killed millions of people, I wrote my term paper on the infamous Joseph Stalin.
I wrote my term paper on the power-hungry dictator and he was the infamous Joseph Stalin.
A power-hungry dictator who killed millions of people, I wrote my term paper on the infamous Joseph Stalin.
A power-hungry dictator who killed millions of people, my term paper was about the infamous Joseph Stalin.
A power-hungry dictator, I wrote my term paper on the infamous Joseph Stalin, who killed millions of people.
I wrote my term paper on the infamous Joseph Stalin, a power-hungry dictator who killed millions of people.
I wrote my term paper on the infamous Joseph Stalin, a power-hungry dictator who killed millions of people.
As it is written, the initial sentence suggests that the speaker and author of the term paper is a murderous dictator, which is almost certainly not the speaker's intended claim. To fix this, we need to bring the modifying clause closer to the person to whom it is referring. One way that we can do that is by reversing the order of the two clauses.
Example Question #1841 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Forced to draw a freehand map of the United States, all of her knowledge of geography suddenly left her.
all of her knowledge of geography was suddenly leaving.
all of her knowledge of geography suddenly left her.
she suddenly forgot all of her knowledge of geography.
she forgot all of her knowledge of geography suddenly.
all of her knowledge of geography suddenly forgotten.
she suddenly forgot all of her knowledge of geography.
This sentence has a dangling participle; its word order separates "forced to draw a freehand map of the United States" from its object, "her," by a significant amount. The sentence can be made clearer by making sure that the object described by its introductory phrase immediately follows that phrase. The best answer choice, "she suddenly forgot all of her knowledge of geography," fixes this and keeps the adverb “suddenly” close to its verb, resulting in the sentence, "Forced to draw a freehand map of the United States, she suddenly forgot all of her knowledge of geography."
Example Question #1841 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Although she studied traditional French cuisine, food critics praised the master chef for her culinary innovations.
food critics praised the master chef for her culinary innovations.
food critics have praised the master chef for her culinary innovations.
food critics praised the master chef because of her culinary innovations.
the master chef received praise from critics for her culinary innovations.
food critics praising the master chef for her culinary innovations.
the master chef received praise from critics for her culinary innovations.
The original text contains a misplaced modifier, making it sound as though the food critics were the ones who studied traditional French cuisine.
Only the answer choice "the master chef received praise from critics for her culinary innovations" avoids the misplaced modifier error because it places the person who did actually study traditional French cuisine—the master chef—immediately after the introductory modifying phrase.
Example Question #271 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Walking down the street, the time is something that Erica lost track of.
Walking down the street, Erica lost track of the time.
Walked down the street, the time is something that Erika lost track of.
Walking down the street the time is something that Erika lost track of.
Walking down the street, the time lost track of Erica.
Walking down the street, the time is something that Erika lost track of.
Walking down the street, Erica lost track of the time.
The sentence as it is written contains a dangling modifier, because it appears that "the time" is "walking down the street." We need to rewrite the sentence so that it is apparent that "Erica" is the one who is "walking down the street." So, the correct answer is "Walking down the street, Erica lost track of the time."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Dangling Modifier Errors
Alighting on the deck, the aircraft carrier shook from the force of the plane.
the plane shook the aircraft carrier with its force.
the aircraft carrier shook from the force of the plane.
the plane shaking the aircraft carrier's force.
the aircraft carrier shaking from the force of the plane.
the aircraft carrier shakes from the force of the plane.
the plane shook the aircraft carrier with its force.
The sentence features a dangling modifier, making it seem like the "aircraft carrier" is the object "alighting," when in fact the plane "alights" on the carrier. To remedy this, the words must be rearranged to make the plane the subject of the sentence. "The plane shook the aircraft carrier with its force," is the only answer choice that does this and is completely grammatically correct.
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