Warning: Danglers Ahead

Vocabulary flashcards covering key grammar concepts discussed in the lecture on dangling modifiers, correctness in writing, and usage.

Dangler

A grammatical error where a modifying phrase ambiguously refers to a noun that is not clearly stated.

Example: 'Running to catch the bus, the rain soaked my clothes.' (This sentence incorrectly suggests that 'the rain' was running to catch the bus.)

Participle Construction

A form of a verb that can function as an adjective, often leading to dangling modifiers if not used correctly.

Example: 'The barking dog startled the postman.' (Here 'barking' describes the dog.)

Appositive Phrase

A noun or noun phrase that renames another noun next to it, which can lead to ambiguity if it does not immediately follow the noun it describes.

Example: 'My brother, an avid traveler, just returned from Japan.' (Here 'an avid traveler' renames 'my brother'.)

Prepositional Phrase

A modifying phrase consisting of a preposition and its object, which can cause confusion if misplaced.

Example: 'The cat on the roof is sleeping.' (Here 'on the roof' modifies where the cat is.)

Colloquial

A style of language used in ordinary or familiar conversation, often too informal for written communications.

Example: 'Wanna grab a bite?' (This phrase is informal and conversational.)

Hyphenate

To connect two or more words with a hyphen to create a single modifier or to clarify meaning.

Example: 'Well-known author' (Here 'well-known' is hyphenated to clarify that the author is known well.)

Confidants vs. Confidantes

'Confidants' refers to male friends; 'confidantes' refers to female friends.

Example: 'I told my confidant about my plans.' vs. 'She confided her secrets to her confidante.' (Different forms used for male and female friends respectively.)

Medical Expansion

An increase in coverage or services provided under healthcare policies, which may face criticism regarding costs.

Example: 'The new health policy includes medical expansion to cover mental health services.'

Misplaced Modifiers

Words or phrases that are placed awkwardly in a sentence so that they modify the wrong word.

Example: 'She nearly drove her kids to school every day.' (This implies she almost did, not that she actually did.)

Publicized

Made widely known or talked about, often through media.

Example: 'The concert was publicized on social media.' (Indicating that the concert details were widely shared.)