CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.1c
The Standard
Place phrases and clauses within a sentence, recognizing and correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
What This Standard Means
Students need to place modifying words, phrases, and clauses next to the thing they describe. They should notice when a sentence accidentally says the wrong person or object is doing something, then revise it so the meaning is clear.
Mastery looks like students spotting awkward or funny errors in their own writing and fixing them without changing the intended meaning. They often get stuck when the subject is missing, as in “Walking to school, the rain started,” or when the modifier is too far from the word it describes.
Ways to Teach It
- Give students sentence strips with modifiers and nouns, then have them physically move pieces until each sentence makes clear sense.
- Use the prompt, “What does this sentence accidentally say?” with three funny misplaced modifier examples, then have students rewrite them.
- Show five sentences on the board, and have students mark each as correct or revise the modifier placement on a sticky note.
- Bring in a restaurant menu, ad, or school announcement with a modifier, then ask students how wording could change the meaning.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.1c
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.9-10.1b
Use various types of phrases (noun, verb, adjectival, adverbial, participial, prepositional, absolute) and clauses (independent, dependent; noun, relative, adve...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1f
Produce complete sentences, recognizing and correcting inappropriate fragments and run-ons.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.3c
Use a variety of transitional words, phrases, and clauses to manage the sequence of events.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.1d
Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense.