This exercise will test your mastery of modifiers. Study each sentence carefully before you revise it. You can choose to correct the modifier errors using any of the three fixes weve discussed in this chapter:

1. Move the incorrectly placed modifier nearer to the word or phrase it refers to.
2. Change the subject of the main clause to one the introductory modifying clause can sensibly attach to.
3. Change the dangling modifier to a subordinate clause.

Some sentences may contain more than one error.

1. The sign clearly stated that students were only admitted to the pub.
2. Having spilled my coffee while working on my assignment, the keyboard was sticky and the e would not work properly.
3. I heard about the Raptors star player being injured on a phone-in show.
4. Before buying a used car, the police recommend that you check the ownership records.
5. There is an article about the easiest way to gift wrap holiday presents in todays Herald.
6. Pierced with a stick and roasted over an open fire, youll never taste anything better than a vegetarian hot dog.
7. Its annoying when teachers hand out notes to students without first punching holes in them.
8. Just before leaving home, my phone rang.
9. The mosquitoes became increasingly annoying while relaxing on the back porch.
10. Wearing as little as the law allowed, they soon forgot the Winnipeg winter they had left behind under the Greek sun.