Final answer:
The correctly used modifier in the choices provided is found in option C, where it clearly indicates that the fire truck's arrival coincides with the speaker's cooking. To ensure proper use of modifiers, it's essential to place them near the word or phrase they are modifying and to use punctuation, like commas and hyphens, to clarify the meaning of sentences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The modifier in a sentence needs to be placed correctly to ensure that it clearly explains or qualifies the word it is intended to modify. In the given options, the modifier is used correctly in option C: "While I was cooking dinner, a fire truck pulled up to the house." This sentence correctly modifies the clause, making it clear that the pulling up of the fire truck happened during the time the speaker was cooking dinner.
Review Questions
Let's now look at how to correctly use commas and hyphens with modifiers in these review questions.
- I finally found my keys, and I got to work just in time.
- Mrs. Contreras threw out her old coffee table and cleaned the carpet.
- Taking the elevator to the roof, we hoped we could see the skyline and the bay.
- Though Susan wasn't feeling well, she went to the store anyway and bought ice cream, pizza, and candy.
- I let my neighbor borrow my phone because she said hers was tapped by the police.
And for hyphens:
- I have nothing to wear for my job interview but a paint-splattered tie.
- Those ragged old clothes I got from the attic were moth-ridden.
- Shelia's cat brought home a mouse that was scared stiff but otherwise unharmed.
- The recycling bin was filled with empty plastic water bottles.
- Walter said I could use his, even though it was dog-eared and had missing pages.