Question

Misplaced Modifier

Modifier: Sleeping on the window sill
Example: Sleeping on the window sill, Janice found her cat.
Correction: Janice found her cat sleeping on the window sill.
Modifier without a Clear Reference
Modifier: Flying over the great plains
Example: Flying over the great plains, the wild buffalo looked beautiful.
Correction: Flying over the great plains, I noticed that the wild buffalo looked beautiful.
In the example on the left, the writer probably did not mean to say that Janice was sleeping on the window sill. The correction places the -ing modifier next to the words that it refers to, her cat. In the example on the right, does the writer mean that the buffalo are flying? If not, who or what is flying? To clear up a modifier without a clear reference, you have to add or change words. This correction adds words (I noticed that) so that it is clear who is flying.

Directions: Read each of the following sentences to determine whether it contains a confusing -ing modifier. Then, select each of the blank lines in the statements that follow to choose the correct answers from the dropdown menus that complete the statements. For the final sentence, answer the question after you complete the statements. (Hint: Check the placement of the -ing modifier; it should be close to the word or words it modifies.)
Leading the field of nonverbal communication, psychologist Paul Ekman studies the significance behind the smallest movements of the face.
In this sentence, the -ing modifier is . It refers to . This sentence a confusing modifier.
People show their discontent or dislike biting the lower or upper lip.
In this sentence, the -ing modifier is . It refers to . This sentence a confusing modifier.
On the other hand, indicating love or comfort Ekman noted dilated eyes.
In this sentence, the -ing modifier is . It refers to . This sentence a confusing modifier.
Paying attention to facial movements, nonverbal communication can be louder than words.
In this sentence, the -ing modifier is . However, it does not have a clear reference. To clear up the confusion, the writer needs to add or change words.

Which of the following corrects this sentence?

Paying attention to facial movements, Ekman found nonverbal communication can be louder than words.
Paying attention to facial movements, words can be louder than nonverbal communication for Ekman.
A person's nonverbal communication paying attention to facial movements can be louder than words.

Answer 1

Let's analyze each sentence:

1. "Leading the field of nonverbal communication, psychologist Paul Ekman studies the significance behind the smallest movements of the face."

In this sentence:

- The -ing modifier is "Leading the field of nonverbal communication."

- It refers to "psychologist Paul Ekman."

- This sentence does not contain a confusing modifier.

2. "People show their discontent or dislike biting the lower or upper lip."

In this sentence:

- The -ing modifier is "biting the lower or upper lip."

- It refers to "People."

- This sentence contains a confusing modifier because it implies that people are showing their discontent or dislike by biting their own lips, which may not be the intended meaning.

3. "On the other hand, indicating love or comfort Ekman noted dilated eyes."

In this sentence:

- The -ing modifier is "indicating love or comfort."

- It refers to "Ekman."

- This sentence contains a confusing modifier because it suggests that Ekman is indicating love or comfort.

4. "Paying attention to facial movements, nonverbal communication can be louder than words."

In this sentence:

- The -ing modifier is "Paying attention to facial movements."

- It does not have a clear reference, which makes it a confusing modifier.

To correct the fourth sentence, you can use the following option:

**Paying attention to facial movements, Ekman found nonverbal communication can be louder than words.**

This revision clarifies that Ekman is paying attention to facial movements and makes the sentence more coherent.