Modifiers and Parallelism | English Grammar Chapter 25

Learning objectives

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to explain the rules, recognise the target forms in context, avoid common errors and apply the patterns to new sentences.

Understand the core terms and distinctions.
Study examples in complete sentences, not as isolated rules.
Complete all 15 practice items before opening the answer key.

1. What modifiers do

Modifiers add detail to nouns, verbs, adjectives or whole clauses. A modifier should be placed close to the word or idea it is intended to modify.

The student carefully checked the answer.

2. Misplaced modifiers

A misplaced modifier sits too far from the word it describes and can create an unintended meaning. Reposition it next to its target.

Unclear: She served sandwiches to the children on paper plates. Clear: She served the children sandwiches on paper plates.

3. Dangling modifiers

A dangling modifier has no clear grammatical word to modify, often because the implied doer is missing from the main clause.

Dangling: Walking to school, the rain began. Clear: Walking to school, I was caught in the rain.

4. Parallel structure

Items connected by and, or, both…and, not only…but also, or a comparison should use matching grammatical forms when they have the same function.

She likes reading, swimming and cycling.

5. Comparisons and clarity

Make sure a comparison compares like with like and that pronouns clearly refer to the intended noun. Parallelism improves readability and makes exam answers more precise.

The salary of a teacher is lower than that of a doctor.

Guided practice

Try each item first. Then open the answer key and read the explanation for any answer you missed.

Correct the modifier: “She almost drove her children to school every day.” if she did drive them nearly every day.
Fix the dangling modifier: “Walking through the park, the flowers looked beautiful.”
Choose the parallel sentence: “He likes to swim, running and cycling” or “He likes swimming, running and cycling.”
Correct: “She is intelligent, hardworking, and has kindness.”
Improve: “The job requires typing, filing, and to answer calls.”
What is wrong with “Covered in chocolate, I ate the cake”?
Correct the comparison: “The population of Dhaka is larger than Chattogram.”
Choose the parallel pair: “not only to read but also writing” or “not only reading but also writing.”
Reposition the modifier: “He saw a dog on the way to work with one eye.”
Correct: “To pass the exam, regular practice is needed by you.”
Choose the clearer version: “She only told me yesterday” if yesterday is the time she told me.
Correct the list: “We need to plan, budgeting, and to evaluate.”
Identify the dangling modifier: “After finishing the report, the computer was shut down.”
Complete parallel structure: The course is useful, affordable, and ___.
Why should comparisons be logically parallel?

Show answer key and explanations

She drove her children to school almost every day. — Almost should modify every day, not drove.
Walking through the park, I thought the flowers looked beautiful. — The person walking must be the subject of the main clause.
He likes swimming, running and cycling. — The list uses parallel -ing forms.
She is intelligent, hardworking, and kind. — The coordinated adjectives should have matching forms.
The job requires typing, filing, and answering calls. — All three list items should use gerunds.
The modifier appears to describe “I,” not the cake. — A modifier should be close to and logically modify its intended target.
The population of Dhaka is larger than that of Chattogram. — Compare population with population, not population with a city.
not only reading but also writing — Correlative conjunctions should connect matching forms.
On the way to work, he saw a one-eyed dog. (if that is the intended meaning) — The original placement makes it unclear who or what has one eye.
To pass the exam, you need regular practice. — The person who wants to pass should be the subject of the main clause.
She told me only yesterday. — Modifier placement clarifies the intended focus.
We need to plan, budget, and evaluate. — The three coordinated verbs should be in the same base form.
After finishing the report — The implied person finishing the report is missing from the main clause.
accessible — Three adjectives make a parallel series.
To compare equivalent things or qualities clearly. — Comparing unlike items creates faulty or confusing meaning.

Revision checklist

I can explain the main rules in my own words.
I can recognise the correct form in a complete sentence.
I can explain why a common incorrect form is wrong.
I can apply the rule to a new example.

If an answer was wrong, identify the rule behind the mistake and try writing two original examples.

Continue learning

← Previous chapter Grammar Roadmap Grammar Quiz Library Next chapter →

Editorial note: Some grammar conventions vary by dialect or examination syllabus. Follow the terminology and conventions specified by your course or exam board where relevant.