{"id":267,"date":"2020-05-19T16:24:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-19T10:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/?p=267"},"modified":"2022-11-23T17:41:51","modified_gmt":"2022-11-23T12:11:51","slug":"modifier-errors-gmat-sentence-correction-modifiers-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/modifier-errors-gmat-sentence-correction-modifiers-series\/","title":{"rendered":"Modifier Errors | GMAT Sentence Correction – Modifiers series | [Updated 2019]"},"content":{"rendered":"A <\/span> 5<\/span> min read <\/span><\/span>\n

GMAT Modifier Errors<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Modifiers are words or group of words that describe other entities in a sentence. Modifiers can act as adjectives, describing nouns or pronouns. Or they can act as adverbs, describing verbs, clauses, and other adjectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of whether a modifier is a word or a phrase or what it modifies, when it is used in a sentence, the meaning of the sentence must be absolutely clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the errorspertaining to Modifiers that GMAT introduces:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"gmat<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Error Type 1 – GMAT SC Modifiers – Dangling Modifiers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a sentence, if the entity that is being described by the modifier is not explicitly stated, then we have what is called as a dangling modifier.  The terminology is pretty straight forward \u2013 dangling means something that dangles i.e. something that cannot logically point to anything in the sentence. Let\u2019s see some examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example 1 – Dangling modifiers – GMAT SC<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Driving on the I-40 freeway<\/span>, Las Vegas<\/span><\/strong> strip came into view.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Per the sentence above, it appears that \u201cLas Vegas strip\u201d was driving.  But this is absolutely illogical.  since we know that Las Vegas strip, a place, cannot drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The author actually intended to say that at a certain point when he\/she was driving on 1-40 freeway, the strip came into view.  So the corrected sentence should contain the \u201cI\u201d since \u201cI\u201d is being described by the modifier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driving on the I-40 freeway<\/span><\/strong><\/span>, I <\/span>saw the Las Vegas strip.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you can see, we changed the manner in which the sentence was written.  To be precise, we changed the voice of the sentence from passive voice to active voice and we introduced the term \u201cI\u201d to reflect the logical meaning that we inferred from this sentence. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example 2 – Dangling modifiers<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Here is another example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"gmat<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the age of six<\/span><\/strong>, the family<\/span> purchased a television.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As written, this sentence implies that the family was 6 years old when it purchased the television.  This is clearly nonsensical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The author actually intended to say that when he\/she was 6 years old, his\/her family purchased a television.  So, the sentence can be reworded as shown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I was six years old<\/span>, my family purchased a television.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you can see, now the modifier phrase has been converted into another dependent clause.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Error Type 2 – GMAT SC Modifiers – Misplaced Modifiers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A sentence should communicate the meaning with clarity and precision.  Thus placement of modifiers is very critical to properly communicating the meaning.  If modifiers are not placed appropriately close to the entity they modify, then the sentence fails to communicate the intended meaning with clarity.  Let’s see some examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example 2 – Misplaced modifiers – GMAT SC<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\"gmat<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To be grilled properly<\/span><\/strong>, you <\/span>must pre-heat the oven before placing chicken in it.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you read this sentence, do you understand what is to be grilled properly?  The first reading of the sentence implies that \u201cyou\u201d need to be grilled well.  This is non-sensical and indeed funny!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upon reading the sentence again, one can infer the intention of the author.  The author must mean to say that to grill the chicken well, the oven must be pre-heated.  Thus, as you can see, this sentence is not successful in communicating the meaning clearly.  So, we need to correct it.  And it can be corrected by simply rewording the sentence as shown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To grill the chicken properly<\/span><\/strong>, you must pre-heat the oven before placing the chicken in it.<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this sentence, the modifier \u201cto grill the chicken properly\u201d now describes the action that follows.  It shows the purpose of doing the action of \u201cmust pre-heat\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we saw in the previous section, there are multiple ways to correct sentences.  Likewise, we can correct this misplaced modifier error as well with another method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You must pre-heat the oven before placing the chicken in it<\/span><\/span> to properly grill the chicken.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this reworded sentence, the modifier \u201cto properly grill the chicken\u201d now describes the preceding clause.  It shows the purpose of doing the action of \u201cmust pre-heat\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example 2 – Misplaced modifiers<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Let’s take another example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Designed for drivability in rocky terrain<\/span><\/strong>, the car manufacturer<\/span> released its new truck with hummer-like design.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Per this sentence, it appears as the car manufacturer was designed for being driven in the rocky terrain.  This is because of the placement of the modifier.  And clearly, it is non-sensical.  This can be corrected in multiple ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Designed for drivability in rocky terrain, new truck with hummer-like design was released by the car manufacturer.<\/em><\/li>
  2. The car manufacturer released its new truck<\/u>, with hummer-like design, designed for drivability in rocky terrain<\/em>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Takeaways – GMAT Modifier Errors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The underlying principle behind a correctly written sentence is that it should communicate the intended meaning without any ambiguity whatsoever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Modifier errors may manifest in an incorrectly written sentence in two ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Dangling Modifiers<\/li>
    2. Misplaced Modifiers<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \"attention<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      We can follow a consistent approach to address such errors. Here is the step by step process:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. Read the sentence and understand what it intends to communicate.<\/li>
      2. Pay attention to every modifier and identify what it describes in the sentence.\n