Question

which revision fixes the misplaced modifier in this sentence? the cat jumped onto the table chasing a fly. a the cat chasing a fly jumped onto the table. b jumping onto the table, the cat chased a fly. c chasing a fly, the cat jumped onto the table. d the fly chased the cat onto the table.

Explanation:

A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word it modifies. In the original sentence, "chasing a fly" seems to modify "the table" incorrectly. We need to make sure the modifier "chasing a fly" correctly modifies "the cat".

• Option A: "The cat chasing a fly jumped onto the table" has a slightly awkward structure, and the modifier placement still isn't the most natural.
• Option B: "Jumping onto the table, the cat chased a fly" changes the meaning (now the cat chased the fly after jumping, not while jumping to chase).
• Option C: "Chasing a fly, the cat jumped onto the table" correctly places the modifier "Chasing a fly" to show the cat was chasing the fly when it jumped onto the table.
• Option D: "The fly chased the cat onto the table" changes the subject and the action, which is not what we want to fix the misplaced modifier.

Answer:

C. Chasing a fly, the cat jumped onto the table.