📘 Chapter 4 — Modifiers & Comparisons

Modifier

A word or phrase that describes another word

Modifier placement

Modifiers must be placed next to the words they describe

Misplaced modifier

A modifier placed too far from the word it modifies

Dangling modifier

A modifier with no clear word to modify

Dangling modifier rule

The subject must logically perform the action in the modifier

Introductory modifier

A modifier placed at the beginning of a sentence

Introductory modifier rule

The noun immediately following must be what the modifier describes

Adjective

A word that describes a noun

Adverb

A word that describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb

Adjective vs adverb

Adjectives describe nouns; adverbs describe verbs and modifiers

Comparative

Used to compare two things

Superlative

Used to compare three or more things

Comparative adjectives

End in -er or use more

Superlative adjectives

End in -est or use most

Comparison rule

Things being compared must be logically comparable

Illogical comparison

Comparing things that are not of the same type

Than vs then

Than is used for comparisons; then refers to time

As vs like

As is followed by a clause; like is followed by a noun

Parallel comparison

Items being compared must be grammatically parallel

More than vs over

More than is preferred for numerical comparisons

Less vs fewer

Less for uncountable nouns; fewer for countable nouns

Degree shift

Inconsistent use of comparative and superlative forms

Clear comparison rule

The basis of comparison must be explicitly stated

SAT modifier focus

The SAT tests logical placement and clarity of modifiers