Question

Discovered by Marie Curie and Pierre Curie, polonium and radium were first isolated in 1898. (no error, misplaced modifier)

Short answer

The corrected sentence is: 'In 1898, Polonium and Radium were discovered by Marie Curie and Pierre Curie.'

Step-by-step solution

Identifying The Misplaced Modifier

The clause 'Discovered by Marie Curie and Pierre Curie' is a modifier and should be close to the noun it is modifying, in this case 'Polonium and Radium'. However, in the sentence, it appears to modify '1898'.

Understanding The Intention of The Sentence

The intention of the sentence is to inform that Polonium and Radium were discovered by Marie Curie and Pierre Curie in the year 1898.

Correct Positioning of The Modifier

To fix the sentence, the misplaced modifier needs to be moved next to the noun it is modifying. We switch to the following sentence: 'In 1898, Polonium and Radium were discovered by Marie Curie and Pierre Curie.' Here the modifier sits next to the nouns it is supposed to modify, hence eliminating any chance of confusion.

Key concepts

Sentence Structure

A well-crafted sentence always has a clear subject, verb, and object. This ensures that the reader understands the message effortlessly. The structure of the sentence should perfectly align with the intended message.
For example, in English, sentences typically follow a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) pattern:

• Subject: The person, place, or thing that performs the action.
• Verb: The action or state of being.
• Object: The entity that receives the action or is affected by the verb.

Using the provided exercise, the corrected sentence reads: 'In 1898, Polonium and Radium were discovered by Marie Curie and Pierre Curie.'
Here, the sentence maintains a logical flow: the time "1898" sets the context, followed by the subjects "Polonium and Radium." The verb "were discovered" denotes the action taken by the agents "Marie Curie and Pierre Curie."
By following this order, the message is delivered effectively without ambiguity.

Grammar Correction

Grammar correction is about ensuring every component of a sentence serves its intended role and is in the right place. A common issue, as seen in the original exercise, is the misplaced modifier.
Without careful attention, modifiers can end up distorting the meaning of a sentence. A modifier's role is to provide additional information about another element within the sentence, and its position is critical.
To correct misplaced modifiers, ensure they are positioned close to the word or phrase they are meant to modify. Here's the corrected sentence: 'In 1898, Polonium and Radium were discovered by Marie Curie and Pierre Curie.'
This correction achieves clarity by keeping the modifier "In 1898" close to the event it is describing, highlighting the year of the discovery clearly.
Always reread sentences after making changes to confirm the intended meaning is clear and accurate.

English Language Rules

The English language is full of rules and exceptions that guide how sentences are constructed and understood. By following established language conventions, you ensure that your writing is clear and logical.
One such rule is proper modifier placement, which we addressed in the misplaced modifier issue. Placing modifiers next to the words they describe prevents misinterpretations. This is especially important in complex sentences where multiple ideas are interwoven.
Another key rule involves verb tense consistency. Ensuring that tenses match the context of the time frame being discussed helps in maintaining clarity throughout your writing.
When dealing with complex sentence structures, employ punctuation wisely—including commas, periods, and conjunctions—to separate and connect ideas in a way that facilitates comprehension.
Understanding these rules enables the construction of sentences that are not only grammatically correct but also precise in conveying the intended meaning.