Modifying phrases are a favorite of the Exam test-makers. Modifying phrases, as you might remember from the Grammar Module, provide more information about the subject or object of the sentence's primary clause. They are often set off from the rest of the sentence by a comma, as in this example:
Weary from a long transatlantic flight, the company's president had
little patience for the tardiness of his employees.
"Weary from a long transatlantic flight" is the modifier. Notice that this modifier doesn't directly mention who is weary; all we know is that someone is weary.
In order for the modifier to be used correctly, it must be as close as possible to the subject or object that it
modifies.
This is the only rule that you need to know regarding modifiers. In the example above, the modifier is correct because the person who's weary, the company's president, is mentioned directly after the modifier.
In order to spot modifying phrases, be on the lookout
for phrases set off by commas, and more generally for phrases that explain
someone or something in more detail. Then make sure that the modifier
is as close as possible to whatever it describes.
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Video Lessons and 10 Fully Explained Grand Tests
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