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GRAMMAR 4

SAT Subject Modifier Placement for ESL Students

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SAT Subject Modifier Placement questions require students to locate the subject that is being modified in the sentence, and place it by this modifier.

What is a Modifier?

A modifier is a word or group of words that add to, or change, another part of the sentences such as the subject.

  • She is a beautiful woman 
  • The car is fast 
  • Chiang Mai, the largest city in northern Thailand, is popular with tourists.
  • When the rain finally stopped, we went for a long walk.

Modifier examples, types and details (pdf download)

Grammar Rules: Subject Modifier Placement

a modifier must be placed as close as possible to the noun it describes

core English subject modifier placement with Anna walking home example

The rain was not walking home❌ , Anna was walking home ✅ (Anna is the subject)

core English subject modifier placement with studying all night example

The test was not studying all night ❌, Jack was studying all night ✅(Jack is the subject)

What is Subject Modifier Placement

We know what is the subject, and we know what is a modifier, so now we need to check the subject is placed correctly by the modifier.

Mixed

  1. the tickets – bought – while waiting in line, – the students
  2. before leaving school, – her bag – packed – Mia
  3. watched – Bee – a movie – after finishing her homework,

Correct

  1. While waiting in line, the students bought the tickets
  2. Before leaving school, Mia packed her bag
  3. After finishing her homework, Bee watched a movie
  1. Who bought the tickets?
      • subject = the students
  2. Who left school?
      • subject = Mia
  3. Who finished their homework?
        • subject = Bee

Try the Subject Modifier Placement tool

subject modifier placement – order the sentence tool – Move the blocks to make the sentence have the correct order

Exercise 1 Modifier Placement

Order the sentence - place the subject with the modifier

While helping his mother, – the dishes – washed – Tom = While helping his mother, Tom washed the dishes

  1. Before starting class, – the seats – checked – the teacher
  2. the answer – Sarah – knew – After reading the note,
  3. After looking at the map, – the hotel – found – the tourists
  4. While studying for the test, – the questions – answered – Lily
  5. Having finished dinner, – the kitchen – cleaned – Mark
  6. After watching the video, – the lesson – understood – the class

SAT Subject Modifier Placement Questions

How to answer

Often sitting by himself, ____

  • a) the boy liked to eat in peace and quiet surroundings.
  • b) eating in quiet surroundings was liked by the boy.
  • c) quiet surroundings whilst eating was the boy’s preference
  • d) peacefully and quietly the boy liked to eat.
  • this is a common SAT subject-modifier placement question style
  • the modifier should be followed by the subject
  • who is sitting by himself?
    • the boy
    • the food
    • the surroundings
    • the peace and quiet
  • yes, it is the boy, so A is correct.

Exercise 2 Modifier Placement

Is the sentence correct, yes or no?

  1. Reading in the library, the student focused intensely.
  2. Barking loudly at the gate, the visitor was not liked by the dog.
  3. The house had a unique chimney, with the green door.
  4. Placed on the table, the book stood out with its bright colors.
  5. The man was seen in the restaurant wearing the blue shirt.
  1. Knocking at every door, the group of singers sang Christmas carols.
  2. The boy and girl, walking hand in hand, seemed so happy.
  3. Studying late, the exam preparation was completed by the students.
  4. The committee made a decision after three hours.
  5. In work, one or two men are needed for the task.

Student Advice

  • a modifier must be placed directly next to the word it describes
  • the noun has to come after the modifier

Generally, you want to look for the noun which the context is describing. For example, in the sentence above (Often sitting by himself), the context is describing the boy.

More Help on Alps Academy

SAT questions

Do you wish to try Khan Academy SAT practice questions now? Subject modifier placement | Lesson

Tip: When practicing on Khan Academy, locate the subject of the modifier text

Congratulations - go to the next lesson!

SAT English Week 5

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Transitions

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SAT English

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SAT Grammar 5

Plural & Possessives

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What is a Modifier?

A modifier is a word or group of words that add to, or change, another part of the sentences such as the subject.

  • She is a beautiful woman 
  • The car is fast 
  • He arrived early
  • The pizza was very tasty
  • Subject (noun): woman, Modifier (adjective): beautiful
  • Subject (noun): car, Modifier (adjective): fast
  • Action (verb): to arrive, Modifier (adverb): early
  • Phrase (adjective): to be tasty, Modifier (adverb): very

There are different types of modifiers, not just adjectives and adverbs. There can be whole phrases or clauses.

  • The dog with the floppy ears is lovely.
  • She bought the eggs and flour to bake a cake
  • Chiang Mai, the largest city in northern Thailand, is popular with tourists.
  • The musician who performed last night left her guitar on the stage.
  • When the rain finally stopped, we went for a long walk.

Opening Modifier

  • After staying up late last night, I slept through my alarm this morning
  • Because of his hard work, the student passed his exams.

Inner Modifier

  • The book on the shelf belongs to me
  • The girl, who plays the piano, was applauded by the audience.

Subject to Modifier Position

  1. ❌ Walking to school, the bus arrived. ✅ Walking to school, Sam saw the bus.
  2. ❌ After eating dinner, the TV was turned on. ✅ After eating dinner, Mia turned on the TV.
  3. ❌ Running across the field, the goal appeared. ✅ Running across the field, Ben saw the goal.

Exercise 1 solutions

  1. Before starting class, – the teacher – checked – the seats
  2. After reading the note, – Sarah – knew – the answer
  3. After looking at the map, – the tourists – found – the hotel
  4. While studying for the test, – Lily – answered – the questions
  5. Having finished dinner, – Mark – cleaned – the kitchen
  6. After watching the video, – the class – understood – the lesson
  1. Special Lesson: Business Speaking Activity
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