ACT Writing Instructor Terri of Prepped & Polished, LLC in South Natick, Massachusetts teaches you how to avoid making common ACT grammar mistake of misplaced modifier errors on the ACT grammar section.
Don’t sweat the grammar questions on the usage mechanics portion of the ACT English test. You don’t need to know wrote grammar rules. You’re assessed on your basic understanding of the conventions of grammar and usage, which means avoiding the most common ACT grammar mistake that students often make, and I’m here to help.
Today, I’m going to show you how to identify and repair dangling modifiers on the ACT English test so you can avoid this common ACT grammar mistake and improve your scores.
So, what exactly is a dangling modifier? A dangling modifier occurs when an opening phrase suggests an action without naming the actor. When a sentence opens with such a modifier, readers expect the subject of the next clause to name the actor. If it doesn’t, the modifier dangles.
Let’s identify a dangling modifier:
Upon entering the doctor’s office, a skeleton caught my attention.
Well, this dangling modifier falsely suggests that a skeleton entered the doctor’s office. Now, there are two ways to repair a dangling modifier.
The first is to name the actor immediately following the introductory modifier. Upon entering the doctor’s office, I noticed a skeleton. Now I, the actor is entering the doctor’s office. On the other hand,you can turn the modifier into a word group that includes the actor. As I entered the doctor’s office, a skeleton caught my attention. Now, I is included in the modifier.
Remember that usage mechanics questions always refer to an underlined portion of an essay, and you must decide on the best answer choice for that underlined part.
On test day, it’s easy to miss dangling modifiers on the ACT English test. So be on the lookout for this classic grammar trap. Now you know how to recognize them and how to select the best answer choice, which is the repair.
If you enjoyed these tips and you want more in-depth assistance either online or in person, simply email info@preppedinpolish.com, and we’ll be glad to help.
Good luck.
About Prepped & Polished:
Prepped & Polished, LLC is a premier educational services company founded by educators in 1999. Our mission is to provide you with the highest-quality customized learning experience available. We will help you achieve top grades, higher test scores, and meet your academic and professional-related goals. Whether you are looking for in-person or online Tutoring and Test Preparation, we are here to help you succeed. Our caring, dynamic educators graduated from some of the most elite schools in the nation, including University of Michigan, Harvard, Brown, and MIT. They are ready to provide you with the strategies, tools and guidance necessary to ensure academic and professional success. Prepped & Polished proudly serves Boston and its surrounding areas including: Weston, Wellesley, Wayland, Sudbury, Dover, Needham, Belmont, Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Newton, Brookline, Sherborn, Carlisle, Boston
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