Modifiers: Dangling & Misplaced
A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that describes or limits another element in a sentence. The SAT's Writing and Language section tests modifier placement extensively. A misplaced modifier is positioned too far from the word it modifies, creating ambiguity or unintended meaning. For example: 'She almost drove her children to school every day' suggests she nearly drove but didn't—'almost' is misplaced. The correct version: 'She drove her children to school almost every day.' A dangling modifier has no logical subject in the sentence to attach to. For example: 'Running down the street, the keys fell out of my pocket.' The keys cannot run—this is a dangling participle. The fix requires adding the correct subject: 'Running down the street, I felt my keys fall out of my pocket.' On the SAT, dangling modifier errors always appear at the start of sentences, before the main clause. The opening phrase must describe the subject that immediately follows the comma.