2.3.3 Other modifiers and comparisons

Achievable Praxis Core: Writing (5723)

2. Language and research skills

2.3. Sentence parts

Our Praxis Core: Writing course is currently in development and is a work-in-progress.

Other modifiers and comparisons

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Misplaced modifiers

Definitions

Misplaced modifier: A modifying word or phrase that is too far from the word it is intended to describe.

A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that describes another part of the sentence. Place it right next to the word it describes. Single words like only, almost, and nearly go directly before the word they limit: She ate only two cookies does not mean the same thing as Only she ate two cookies.

Example:

Diana, wearing a new cocktail dress and stiletto heels, went to the party with Bill.

When a modifier is too far from its target noun, it is misplaced and can alter the meaning of the sentence.

Diana went to the party with Bill wearing a new cocktail dress and stiletto heels.

This sentence can be read as saying that Bill wore the new dress and heels, not Diana. Here is a corrected version:

Wearing a new cocktail dress and stiletto heels, Diana went to the party with Bill.

Notice that the target noun, Diana, is right next to the modifying phrase.

Practice question

Grandma’s good china had a few small chips from years of use, but it was still her favorite set to display.

Only slightly chipped, the table was set with the best china, and the flowers provided a festive air.

Select the correct version of the sentence.

a. NO CHANGE
b. The table, only slightly chipped, was set with the best china, and the flowers provided a festive air.
c. The table was set with the best china, and the flowers, only slightly chipped, provided a festive air.
d. Only slightly chipped, the best china set the table, and the flowers provided a festive air.
e. The table was set with the best china, only slightly chipped, and the flowers provided a festive air.

Correct answer:

(spoiler)

The correct answer is e.

e. is correct because the modifier, only slightly chipped, appears next to its target noun, china.

a. is incorrect because it says the table was chipped, not the china.

b. is incorrect because the modifier is placed next to table instead of its target noun, china.

c. is incorrect because it says that the flowers are chipped, which makes no sense.

d. is incorrect because it says that the china set the table. China cannot actively set a table.

Dangling modifiers

Definitions

Dangling modifier: A modifier whose target noun is missing from the sentence.

A dangling modifier occurs when its target noun is omitted from the sentence.

Example:

INCORRECT: Hurrying to put everything back, the room was cleaned in a twinkling.

CORRECT: Hurrying to put everything back, the children cleaned the room in a twinkling.

In the first version, the noun right after the modifier is room, so the sentence says that the room was hurrying. The people who were hurrying never appear. The corrected version names them: the children.

Practice question

Running through the increasingly heavy downpour, Tara hoped with all her heart that she hadn’t locked herself out of the house.

a. NO CHANGE
b. Running through the increasingly heavy downpour was when Tara hoped with all her heart that she hadn’t locked herself out of the house.
c. Running through the increasingly heavy downpour, the house was what Tara hoped she was not locked out of.
d. Tara hoped with all her heart that the house, running through the increasingly heavy downpour, was not locked.
e. Locked out of the house, Tara hoped she wasn’t running through the increasingly heavy downpour.

Correct answer:

(spoiler)

The correct answer is a. NO CHANGE.

a. is correct because Tara is running through the downpour while also hoping that she is not locked out of the house.

b. is incorrect because running … was when Tara hoped is illogical: running is an activity, not a time. It is also awkward and wordy.

c. is incorrect because it says that the house is running through the rain.

d. is incorrect because it says that the house is running through the rain.

e. is incorrect because it says that Tara hoped she was not running through the rain rather than hoping she was not locked out.

Comparisons

Comparing amounts

Countable and uncountable amounts

Countable	Uncountable	Comparative with than
many	much	more…than (both)
few	little	fewer…than (countable); less…than (uncountable)

The comparative forms more, fewer, and less combine with than to form comparisons.

Note: Than is used for comparisons. Then is an adverb of time. Mixing them up can lead to wrong answers on the test.

Examples:

There was a lot less chocolate left than Natalie remembered.

Beth knew that her baby brother would one day be taller than she was.

Practice question

The fifth-grade students argued that if Mr. Albertine gave them _____ assignments, he would have _____ time to spend with his own children.

a. fewer…more
b. less…more
c. fewer…many
d. less…many
e. fewer…much

Correct answer:

(spoiler)

The correct answer is a. fewer…more.

a. is correct. Assignments are countable, and unspecified quantities of time are not.

b. is incorrect because assignments are countable.

c. is incorrect because many is used for countable items, and time is not countable.

d. is incorrect because less goes with uncountable amounts, and assignments are countable, so the test expects fewer.

e. is incorrect because much by itself is not comparative. Only much more time is comparative.

Comparative and superlative adjectives

Use the comparative form when comparing two things, and the superlative form when comparing three or more.

Short adjectives take -er for the comparative and -est for the superlative: Mo is taller than Jim, but Alé is the tallest of the three.
Longer adjectives use more or most instead: this book is more interesting than that one, but the biography is the most interesting book on the shelf.
Never combine both forms: more faster and most fastest are always wrong; use faster and fastest.
Inside as…as, use the base form of the adjective, not the comparative: as fast as, not as faster as.

Some word pairs are correlative conjunctions: both halves must appear, and the words that follow each half must be grammatically parallel.

As…as

This pair indicates that the two people or things being compared are equal.

Example:

Jessie thought that Aunt Edna was about as likely to smile as her stuffed dragon was to come to life.

Not only…but also

This pair says that two things are true at the same time, and the phrase after each half must match in form.

Example:

Brandon was petrified when he saw not only two bees buzzing around his bedroom but also a giant spider sitting on his pillow.

INCORRECT: She not only plays piano but also is singing.

CORRECT: She not only plays piano but also sings.

Neither…nor

This pair negates two things at the same time.

Example:

At seven, Mikey liked neither eggs nor cereal and would eat only peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with the crusts cut off.

Faulty comparisons

Definitions

Faulty comparison: A comparison between unlike things or between mismatched grammatical structures.

Comparisons must be between like and like. You cannot compare a thing to a person. A thing must be compared to another thing, and a person must be compared to another person.

Examples:

INCORRECT: Charles Dickens’s novels are longer than Jane Austen.

CORRECT: Charles Dickens’s novels are longer than the novels of Jane Austen.

Sometimes comparisons substitute pronouns for the second item in the comparison.

I like Van Gogh’s artwork better than I like the artwork of Picasso.

I like Van Gogh’s artwork better than I like that of Picasso.

If the things being compared are plural, either repeat the noun or use those instead of that:

Nineteenth-century novels are generally longer than today’s novels.

Nineteenth-century novels are generally longer than those of today.

Practice question

Berenice believed that her brother’s bedroom contained more insects as their backyard did, while her brother thought that she was as prissy as Queen Victoria is supposed to have been.

a. NO CHANGE
b. Berenice believed that her brother’s bedroom contained more insects than that of their backyard did, while her brother thought that she was as prissy as Queen Victoria is supposed to have been.
c. Berenice believed that her brother’s bedroom contained more insects than their backyard did, while her brother thought that she was as prissier as Queen Victoria is supposed to have been.
d. Berenice believed that her brother’s bedroom contained more insects than their backyard did, while her brother thought that she was as prissy as Queen Victoria is supposed to have been.
e. Berenice believed that her brother’s bedroom contained more insects than their backyard did, while her brother thought that she was as prissy than Queen Victoria is supposed to have been.

Correct answer:

(spoiler)

The correct answer is d.

d. is correct because both comparisons are worded correctly. More insects than is a proper comparative phrase, and as…as indicates equality.

a. is incorrect because more…as should be more than.

b. is incorrect because that of has no referent in the sentence and should be removed.

c. is incorrect because as prissier as should be as prissy as.

e. is incorrect because as prissy than should be as prissy as.

Misplaced modifiers

Modifier placed too far from the word/noun it describes, distorting meaning
Fix: move modifier directly next to its target noun
Limiting words (only, almost, nearly) must sit right before the word they limit

Dangling modifiers

Target noun the modifier describes is missing entirely from the sentence
Creates illogical meaning (e.g., an inanimate object “doing” an action)
Fix: add the correct noun right after the modifying phrase

Comparing amounts (countable vs. uncountable)

Countable nouns: use many, fewer
Uncountable nouns: use much, less
Both types use more…than for comparison
Remember: than = comparison word; then = time word (common mix-up)

Comparative & superlative adjectives

Comparative (two items): short adjectives + -er; longer adjectives use more
Superlative (three+ items): short adjectives + -est; longer adjectives use most
Never double up forms (e.g., “more faster,” “most fastest”) — always incorrect
Use base adjective form inside as…as (e.g., “as fast as,” not “as faster as”)

Correlative conjunction pairs

as…as: shows equality between two things
not only…but also: both halves must appear; following phrases must be grammatically parallel (matching verb forms, etc.)
neither…nor: negates two things simultaneously

Faulty comparisons

Must compare like with like (thing to thing, person to person — not thing to person)
Fix by adding clarifying words: “novels of,” “that of” (singular), “those of” (plural)
Watch for mismatched comparison words (e.g., “more insects as” should be “more insects than”)

Next | 2.3.4 Relative pronouns and relative clauses

Other modifiers and comparisons

Misplaced modifiers

Definitions

Misplaced modifier: A modifying word or phrase that is too far from the word it is intended to describe.

Example:

Diana, wearing a new cocktail dress and stiletto heels, went to the party with Bill.

When a modifier is too far from its target noun, it is misplaced and can alter the meaning of the sentence.

Diana went to the party with Bill wearing a new cocktail dress and stiletto heels.

This sentence can be read as saying that Bill wore the new dress and heels, not Diana. Here is a corrected version:

Wearing a new cocktail dress and stiletto heels, Diana went to the party with Bill.

Notice that the target noun, Diana, is right next to the modifying phrase.

Practice question

Grandma’s good china had a few small chips from years of use, but it was still her favorite set to display.

Only slightly chipped, the table was set with the best china, and the flowers provided a festive air.

Select the correct version of the sentence.

a. NO CHANGE
b. The table, only slightly chipped, was set with the best china, and the flowers provided a festive air.
c. The table was set with the best china, and the flowers, only slightly chipped, provided a festive air.
d. Only slightly chipped, the best china set the table, and the flowers provided a festive air.
e. The table was set with the best china, only slightly chipped, and the flowers provided a festive air.

Correct answer:

(spoiler)

The correct answer is e.

e. is correct because the modifier, only slightly chipped, appears next to its target noun, china.

a. is incorrect because it says the table was chipped, not the china.

b. is incorrect because the modifier is placed next to table instead of its target noun, china.

c. is incorrect because it says that the flowers are chipped, which makes no sense.

d. is incorrect because it says that the china set the table. China cannot actively set a table.

Dangling modifiers

Definitions

Dangling modifier: A modifier whose target noun is missing from the sentence.

A dangling modifier occurs when its target noun is omitted from the sentence.

Example:

INCORRECT: Hurrying to put everything back, the room was cleaned in a twinkling.

CORRECT: Hurrying to put everything back, the children cleaned the room in a twinkling.

In the first version, the noun right after the modifier is room, so the sentence says that the room was hurrying. The people who were hurrying never appear. The corrected version names them: the children.

Practice question

Running through the increasingly heavy downpour, Tara hoped with all her heart that she hadn’t locked herself out of the house.

a. NO CHANGE
b. Running through the increasingly heavy downpour was when Tara hoped with all her heart that she hadn’t locked herself out of the house.
c. Running through the increasingly heavy downpour, the house was what Tara hoped she was not locked out of.
d. Tara hoped with all her heart that the house, running through the increasingly heavy downpour, was not locked.
e. Locked out of the house, Tara hoped she wasn’t running through the increasingly heavy downpour.

Correct answer:

(spoiler)

The correct answer is a. NO CHANGE.

a. is correct because Tara is running through the downpour while also hoping that she is not locked out of the house.

b. is incorrect because running … was when Tara hoped is illogical: running is an activity, not a time. It is also awkward and wordy.

c. is incorrect because it says that the house is running through the rain.

d. is incorrect because it says that the house is running through the rain.

e. is incorrect because it says that Tara hoped she was not running through the rain rather than hoping she was not locked out.

Comparisons

Comparing amounts

Countable and uncountable amounts

Countable	Uncountable	Comparative with than
many	much	more…than (both)
few	little	fewer…than (countable); less…than (uncountable)

The comparative forms more, fewer, and less combine with than to form comparisons.

Note: Than is used for comparisons. Then is an adverb of time. Mixing them up can lead to wrong answers on the test.

Examples:

There was a lot less chocolate left than Natalie remembered.

Beth knew that her baby brother would one day be taller than she was.

Practice question

The fifth-grade students argued that if Mr. Albertine gave them _____ assignments, he would have _____ time to spend with his own children.

a. fewer…more
b. less…more
c. fewer…many
d. less…many
e. fewer…much

Correct answer:

(spoiler)

The correct answer is a. fewer…more.

a. is correct. Assignments are countable, and unspecified quantities of time are not.

b. is incorrect because assignments are countable.

c. is incorrect because many is used for countable items, and time is not countable.

d. is incorrect because less goes with uncountable amounts, and assignments are countable, so the test expects fewer.

e. is incorrect because much by itself is not comparative. Only much more time is comparative.

Comparative and superlative adjectives

Use the comparative form when comparing two things, and the superlative form when comparing three or more.

Short adjectives take -er for the comparative and -est for the superlative: Mo is taller than Jim, but Alé is the tallest of the three.
Longer adjectives use more or most instead: this book is more interesting than that one, but the biography is the most interesting book on the shelf.
Never combine both forms: more faster and most fastest are always wrong; use faster and fastest.
Inside as…as, use the base form of the adjective, not the comparative: as fast as, not as faster as.

Some word pairs are correlative conjunctions: both halves must appear, and the words that follow each half must be grammatically parallel.

As…as

This pair indicates that the two people or things being compared are equal.

Example:

Jessie thought that Aunt Edna was about as likely to smile as her stuffed dragon was to come to life.

Not only…but also

This pair says that two things are true at the same time, and the phrase after each half must match in form.

Example:

Brandon was petrified when he saw not only two bees buzzing around his bedroom but also a giant spider sitting on his pillow.

INCORRECT: She not only plays piano but also is singing.

CORRECT: She not only plays piano but also sings.

Neither…nor

This pair negates two things at the same time.

Example:

At seven, Mikey liked neither eggs nor cereal and would eat only peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with the crusts cut off.

Faulty comparisons

Definitions

Faulty comparison: A comparison between unlike things or between mismatched grammatical structures.

Comparisons must be between like and like. You cannot compare a thing to a person. A thing must be compared to another thing, and a person must be compared to another person.

Examples:

INCORRECT: Charles Dickens’s novels are longer than Jane Austen.

CORRECT: Charles Dickens’s novels are longer than the novels of Jane Austen.

Sometimes comparisons substitute pronouns for the second item in the comparison.

I like Van Gogh’s artwork better than I like the artwork of Picasso.

I like Van Gogh’s artwork better than I like that of Picasso.

If the things being compared are plural, either repeat the noun or use those instead of that:

Nineteenth-century novels are generally longer than today’s novels.

Nineteenth-century novels are generally longer than those of today.

Practice question

Berenice believed that her brother’s bedroom contained more insects as their backyard did, while her brother thought that she was as prissy as Queen Victoria is supposed to have been.

a. NO CHANGE
b. Berenice believed that her brother’s bedroom contained more insects than that of their backyard did, while her brother thought that she was as prissy as Queen Victoria is supposed to have been.
c. Berenice believed that her brother’s bedroom contained more insects than their backyard did, while her brother thought that she was as prissier as Queen Victoria is supposed to have been.
d. Berenice believed that her brother’s bedroom contained more insects than their backyard did, while her brother thought that she was as prissy as Queen Victoria is supposed to have been.
e. Berenice believed that her brother’s bedroom contained more insects than their backyard did, while her brother thought that she was as prissy than Queen Victoria is supposed to have been.

Correct answer:

(spoiler)

The correct answer is d.

d. is correct because both comparisons are worded correctly. More insects than is a proper comparative phrase, and as…as indicates equality.

a. is incorrect because more…as should be more than.

b. is incorrect because that of has no referent in the sentence and should be removed.

c. is incorrect because as prissier as should be as prissy as.

e. is incorrect because as prissy than should be as prissy as.

Achievable Praxis Core: Writing (5723)

2. Language and research skills

2.3. Sentence parts

Our Praxis Core: Writing course is currently in development and is a work-in-progress.

Other modifiers and comparisons

8 min read

Font

Discuss

Feedback

Misplaced modifiers

Definitions

Misplaced modifier: A modifying word or phrase that is too far from the word it is intended to describe.

Example:

Diana, wearing a new cocktail dress and stiletto heels, went to the party with Bill.

When a modifier is too far from its target noun, it is misplaced and can alter the meaning of the sentence.

Diana went to the party with Bill wearing a new cocktail dress and stiletto heels.

This sentence can be read as saying that Bill wore the new dress and heels, not Diana. Here is a corrected version:

Wearing a new cocktail dress and stiletto heels, Diana went to the party with Bill.

Notice that the target noun, Diana, is right next to the modifying phrase.

Practice question

Grandma’s good china had a few small chips from years of use, but it was still her favorite set to display.

Only slightly chipped, the table was set with the best china, and the flowers provided a festive air.

Select the correct version of the sentence.

a. NO CHANGE
b. The table, only slightly chipped, was set with the best china, and the flowers provided a festive air.
c. The table was set with the best china, and the flowers, only slightly chipped, provided a festive air.
d. Only slightly chipped, the best china set the table, and the flowers provided a festive air.
e. The table was set with the best china, only slightly chipped, and the flowers provided a festive air.

Correct answer:

(spoiler)

The correct answer is e.

e. is correct because the modifier, only slightly chipped, appears next to its target noun, china.

a. is incorrect because it says the table was chipped, not the china.

b. is incorrect because the modifier is placed next to table instead of its target noun, china.

c. is incorrect because it says that the flowers are chipped, which makes no sense.

d. is incorrect because it says that the china set the table. China cannot actively set a table.

Dangling modifiers

Definitions

Dangling modifier: A modifier whose target noun is missing from the sentence.

A dangling modifier occurs when its target noun is omitted from the sentence.

Example:

INCORRECT: Hurrying to put everything back, the room was cleaned in a twinkling.

CORRECT: Hurrying to put everything back, the children cleaned the room in a twinkling.

In the first version, the noun right after the modifier is room, so the sentence says that the room was hurrying. The people who were hurrying never appear. The corrected version names them: the children.

Practice question

Running through the increasingly heavy downpour, Tara hoped with all her heart that she hadn’t locked herself out of the house.

a. NO CHANGE
b. Running through the increasingly heavy downpour was when Tara hoped with all her heart that she hadn’t locked herself out of the house.
c. Running through the increasingly heavy downpour, the house was what Tara hoped she was not locked out of.
d. Tara hoped with all her heart that the house, running through the increasingly heavy downpour, was not locked.
e. Locked out of the house, Tara hoped she wasn’t running through the increasingly heavy downpour.

Correct answer:

(spoiler)

The correct answer is a. NO CHANGE.

a. is correct because Tara is running through the downpour while also hoping that she is not locked out of the house.

b. is incorrect because running … was when Tara hoped is illogical: running is an activity, not a time. It is also awkward and wordy.

c. is incorrect because it says that the house is running through the rain.

d. is incorrect because it says that the house is running through the rain.

e. is incorrect because it says that Tara hoped she was not running through the rain rather than hoping she was not locked out.

Comparisons

Comparing amounts

Countable and uncountable amounts

Countable	Uncountable	Comparative with than
many	much	more…than (both)
few	little	fewer…than (countable); less…than (uncountable)

The comparative forms more, fewer, and less combine with than to form comparisons.

Note: Than is used for comparisons. Then is an adverb of time. Mixing them up can lead to wrong answers on the test.

Examples:

There was a lot less chocolate left than Natalie remembered.

Beth knew that her baby brother would one day be taller than she was.

Practice question

The fifth-grade students argued that if Mr. Albertine gave them _____ assignments, he would have _____ time to spend with his own children.

a. fewer…more
b. less…more
c. fewer…many
d. less…many
e. fewer…much

Correct answer:

(spoiler)

The correct answer is a. fewer…more.

a. is correct. Assignments are countable, and unspecified quantities of time are not.

b. is incorrect because assignments are countable.

c. is incorrect because many is used for countable items, and time is not countable.

d. is incorrect because less goes with uncountable amounts, and assignments are countable, so the test expects fewer.

e. is incorrect because much by itself is not comparative. Only much more time is comparative.

Comparative and superlative adjectives

Use the comparative form when comparing two things, and the superlative form when comparing three or more.

Short adjectives take -er for the comparative and -est for the superlative: Mo is taller than Jim, but Alé is the tallest of the three.
Longer adjectives use more or most instead: this book is more interesting than that one, but the biography is the most interesting book on the shelf.
Never combine both forms: more faster and most fastest are always wrong; use faster and fastest.
Inside as…as, use the base form of the adjective, not the comparative: as fast as, not as faster as.

Some word pairs are correlative conjunctions: both halves must appear, and the words that follow each half must be grammatically parallel.

As…as

This pair indicates that the two people or things being compared are equal.

Example:

Jessie thought that Aunt Edna was about as likely to smile as her stuffed dragon was to come to life.

Not only…but also

This pair says that two things are true at the same time, and the phrase after each half must match in form.

Example:

Brandon was petrified when he saw not only two bees buzzing around his bedroom but also a giant spider sitting on his pillow.

INCORRECT: She not only plays piano but also is singing.

CORRECT: She not only plays piano but also sings.

Neither…nor

This pair negates two things at the same time.

Example:

At seven, Mikey liked neither eggs nor cereal and would eat only peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with the crusts cut off.

Faulty comparisons

Definitions

Faulty comparison: A comparison between unlike things or between mismatched grammatical structures.

Comparisons must be between like and like. You cannot compare a thing to a person. A thing must be compared to another thing, and a person must be compared to another person.

Examples:

INCORRECT: Charles Dickens’s novels are longer than Jane Austen.

CORRECT: Charles Dickens’s novels are longer than the novels of Jane Austen.

Sometimes comparisons substitute pronouns for the second item in the comparison.

I like Van Gogh’s artwork better than I like the artwork of Picasso.

I like Van Gogh’s artwork better than I like that of Picasso.

If the things being compared are plural, either repeat the noun or use those instead of that:

Nineteenth-century novels are generally longer than today’s novels.

Nineteenth-century novels are generally longer than those of today.

Practice question

Berenice believed that her brother’s bedroom contained more insects as their backyard did, while her brother thought that she was as prissy as Queen Victoria is supposed to have been.

a. NO CHANGE
b. Berenice believed that her brother’s bedroom contained more insects than that of their backyard did, while her brother thought that she was as prissy as Queen Victoria is supposed to have been.
c. Berenice believed that her brother’s bedroom contained more insects than their backyard did, while her brother thought that she was as prissier as Queen Victoria is supposed to have been.
d. Berenice believed that her brother’s bedroom contained more insects than their backyard did, while her brother thought that she was as prissy as Queen Victoria is supposed to have been.
e. Berenice believed that her brother’s bedroom contained more insects than their backyard did, while her brother thought that she was as prissy than Queen Victoria is supposed to have been.

Correct answer:

(spoiler)

The correct answer is d.

d. is correct because both comparisons are worded correctly. More insects than is a proper comparative phrase, and as…as indicates equality.

a. is incorrect because more…as should be more than.

b. is incorrect because that of has no referent in the sentence and should be removed.

c. is incorrect because as prissier as should be as prissy as.

e. is incorrect because as prissy than should be as prissy as.

Misplaced modifiers

Modifier placed too far from the word/noun it describes, distorting meaning
Fix: move modifier directly next to its target noun
Limiting words (only, almost, nearly) must sit right before the word they limit

Dangling modifiers

Target noun the modifier describes is missing entirely from the sentence
Creates illogical meaning (e.g., an inanimate object “doing” an action)
Fix: add the correct noun right after the modifying phrase

Comparing amounts (countable vs. uncountable)

Countable nouns: use many, fewer
Uncountable nouns: use much, less
Both types use more…than for comparison
Remember: than = comparison word; then = time word (common mix-up)

Comparative & superlative adjectives

Comparative (two items): short adjectives + -er; longer adjectives use more
Superlative (three+ items): short adjectives + -est; longer adjectives use most
Never double up forms (e.g., “more faster,” “most fastest”) — always incorrect
Use base adjective form inside as…as (e.g., “as fast as,” not “as faster as”)

Correlative conjunction pairs

as…as: shows equality between two things
not only…but also: both halves must appear; following phrases must be grammatically parallel (matching verb forms, etc.)
neither…nor: negates two things simultaneously

Faulty comparisons

Must compare like with like (thing to thing, person to person — not thing to person)
Fix by adding clarifying words: “novels of,” “that of” (singular), “those of” (plural)
Watch for mismatched comparison words (e.g., “more insects as” should be “more insects than”)

Next | 2.3.4 Relative pronouns and relative clauses

Other modifiers and comparisons

Misplaced modifiers

Definitions

Misplaced modifier: A modifying word or phrase that is too far from the word it is intended to describe.

Example:

Diana, wearing a new cocktail dress and stiletto heels, went to the party with Bill.

When a modifier is too far from its target noun, it is misplaced and can alter the meaning of the sentence.

Diana went to the party with Bill wearing a new cocktail dress and stiletto heels.

This sentence can be read as saying that Bill wore the new dress and heels, not Diana. Here is a corrected version:

Wearing a new cocktail dress and stiletto heels, Diana went to the party with Bill.

Notice that the target noun, Diana, is right next to the modifying phrase.

Practice question

Grandma’s good china had a few small chips from years of use, but it was still her favorite set to display.

Only slightly chipped, the table was set with the best china, and the flowers provided a festive air.

Select the correct version of the sentence.

a. NO CHANGE
b. The table, only slightly chipped, was set with the best china, and the flowers provided a festive air.
c. The table was set with the best china, and the flowers, only slightly chipped, provided a festive air.
d. Only slightly chipped, the best china set the table, and the flowers provided a festive air.
e. The table was set with the best china, only slightly chipped, and the flowers provided a festive air.

Correct answer:

(spoiler)

The correct answer is e.

e. is correct because the modifier, only slightly chipped, appears next to its target noun, china.

a. is incorrect because it says the table was chipped, not the china.

b. is incorrect because the modifier is placed next to table instead of its target noun, china.

c. is incorrect because it says that the flowers are chipped, which makes no sense.

d. is incorrect because it says that the china set the table. China cannot actively set a table.

Dangling modifiers

Definitions

Dangling modifier: A modifier whose target noun is missing from the sentence.

A dangling modifier occurs when its target noun is omitted from the sentence.

Example:

INCORRECT: Hurrying to put everything back, the room was cleaned in a twinkling.

CORRECT: Hurrying to put everything back, the children cleaned the room in a twinkling.

In the first version, the noun right after the modifier is room, so the sentence says that the room was hurrying. The people who were hurrying never appear. The corrected version names them: the children.

Practice question

Running through the increasingly heavy downpour, Tara hoped with all her heart that she hadn’t locked herself out of the house.

a. NO CHANGE
b. Running through the increasingly heavy downpour was when Tara hoped with all her heart that she hadn’t locked herself out of the house.
c. Running through the increasingly heavy downpour, the house was what Tara hoped she was not locked out of.
d. Tara hoped with all her heart that the house, running through the increasingly heavy downpour, was not locked.
e. Locked out of the house, Tara hoped she wasn’t running through the increasingly heavy downpour.

Correct answer:

(spoiler)

The correct answer is a. NO CHANGE.

a. is correct because Tara is running through the downpour while also hoping that she is not locked out of the house.

b. is incorrect because running … was when Tara hoped is illogical: running is an activity, not a time. It is also awkward and wordy.

c. is incorrect because it says that the house is running through the rain.

d. is incorrect because it says that the house is running through the rain.

e. is incorrect because it says that Tara hoped she was not running through the rain rather than hoping she was not locked out.

Comparisons

Comparing amounts

Countable and uncountable amounts

Countable	Uncountable	Comparative with than
many	much	more…than (both)
few	little	fewer…than (countable); less…than (uncountable)

The comparative forms more, fewer, and less combine with than to form comparisons.

Note: Than is used for comparisons. Then is an adverb of time. Mixing them up can lead to wrong answers on the test.

Examples:

There was a lot less chocolate left than Natalie remembered.

Beth knew that her baby brother would one day be taller than she was.

Practice question

The fifth-grade students argued that if Mr. Albertine gave them _____ assignments, he would have _____ time to spend with his own children.

a. fewer…more
b. less…more
c. fewer…many
d. less…many
e. fewer…much

Correct answer:

(spoiler)

The correct answer is a. fewer…more.

a. is correct. Assignments are countable, and unspecified quantities of time are not.

b. is incorrect because assignments are countable.

c. is incorrect because many is used for countable items, and time is not countable.

d. is incorrect because less goes with uncountable amounts, and assignments are countable, so the test expects fewer.

e. is incorrect because much by itself is not comparative. Only much more time is comparative.

Comparative and superlative adjectives

Use the comparative form when comparing two things, and the superlative form when comparing three or more.

Short adjectives take -er for the comparative and -est for the superlative: Mo is taller than Jim, but Alé is the tallest of the three.
Longer adjectives use more or most instead: this book is more interesting than that one, but the biography is the most interesting book on the shelf.
Never combine both forms: more faster and most fastest are always wrong; use faster and fastest.
Inside as…as, use the base form of the adjective, not the comparative: as fast as, not as faster as.

Some word pairs are correlative conjunctions: both halves must appear, and the words that follow each half must be grammatically parallel.

As…as

This pair indicates that the two people or things being compared are equal.

Example:

Jessie thought that Aunt Edna was about as likely to smile as her stuffed dragon was to come to life.

Not only…but also

This pair says that two things are true at the same time, and the phrase after each half must match in form.

Example:

Brandon was petrified when he saw not only two bees buzzing around his bedroom but also a giant spider sitting on his pillow.

INCORRECT: She not only plays piano but also is singing.

CORRECT: She not only plays piano but also sings.

Neither…nor

This pair negates two things at the same time.

Example:

At seven, Mikey liked neither eggs nor cereal and would eat only peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with the crusts cut off.

Faulty comparisons

Definitions

Faulty comparison: A comparison between unlike things or between mismatched grammatical structures.

Comparisons must be between like and like. You cannot compare a thing to a person. A thing must be compared to another thing, and a person must be compared to another person.

Examples:

INCORRECT: Charles Dickens’s novels are longer than Jane Austen.

CORRECT: Charles Dickens’s novels are longer than the novels of Jane Austen.

Sometimes comparisons substitute pronouns for the second item in the comparison.

I like Van Gogh’s artwork better than I like the artwork of Picasso.

I like Van Gogh’s artwork better than I like that of Picasso.

If the things being compared are plural, either repeat the noun or use those instead of that:

Nineteenth-century novels are generally longer than today’s novels.

Nineteenth-century novels are generally longer than those of today.

Practice question

Berenice believed that her brother’s bedroom contained more insects as their backyard did, while her brother thought that she was as prissy as Queen Victoria is supposed to have been.

a. NO CHANGE
b. Berenice believed that her brother’s bedroom contained more insects than that of their backyard did, while her brother thought that she was as prissy as Queen Victoria is supposed to have been.
c. Berenice believed that her brother’s bedroom contained more insects than their backyard did, while her brother thought that she was as prissier as Queen Victoria is supposed to have been.
d. Berenice believed that her brother’s bedroom contained more insects than their backyard did, while her brother thought that she was as prissy as Queen Victoria is supposed to have been.
e. Berenice believed that her brother’s bedroom contained more insects than their backyard did, while her brother thought that she was as prissy than Queen Victoria is supposed to have been.

Correct answer:

(spoiler)

The correct answer is d.

d. is correct because both comparisons are worded correctly. More insects than is a proper comparative phrase, and as…as indicates equality.

a. is incorrect because more…as should be more than.

b. is incorrect because that of has no referent in the sentence and should be removed.

c. is incorrect because as prissier as should be as prissy as.

e. is incorrect because as prissy than should be as prissy as.