Final answer:
This English lesson question involves correcting dangling modifiers, hyphenation, and sentence clarity issues in high school-level writing. Proper use of hyphens and reduction of wordiness can significantly improve writing effectiveness. Examples are provided to illustrate how to correct common mistakes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dangling modifiers and how to correct them is the subject of this English lesson question. By understanding and correcting these errors, students can improve their writing clarity and cohesiveness. Let's explore examples and apply this knowledge to review questions:
- 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 book, even though it was dog-eared and had missing pages.
Through these examples, we see how proper use of hyphens clarifies the meaning of phrases, and removing unnecessary hyphens prevents confusion in compound modifiers. Correcting sentences with mixed constructions also enhances clarity. For example, 'Learning to ballroom dance increases agility, and you may live longer' fixes the issues in the provided mixed sentence. Lastly, reducing wordiness can sharpen the impact of a statement, such as 'A bright light shone on the ocean waves' in lieu of the original, wordier sentence.