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A modifier, or modifying phrase, is a word or phrase
that explains or describes a word. Misplaced modifiers are words,
phrases, or clauses that do not point clearly to the word or words
they modify.
Modifier misplaced: Like
so many American men, the day came when Hank wanted a sports car.
Since the day is the subject, the
sentence implies that the day is like American
men. This is unintentionally funny and should be revised.
• Like so many American men, Hank eventually
wanted a sports car.
• The day came when Hank, like so many
American men, wanted a sports car.
Modifier misplaced: He
is a short man with a bushy moustache weighing
200 pounds.
This sentence suggests that the man’s moustache weighs
200 pounds.
• He is a short man weighing 200 pounds
and sporting a bushy moustache.
• He is a short man with a bushy moustache,
and he weighs 200 pounds.
To avoid misplacing your modifiers, make
sure they’re as close as possible to the word they are explaining
or describing.
Modifier misplaced: I
was told that Maurice broke the figurine by my mother.• My mother told me that Maurice broke
the figurine.
• I was told by my mother that Maurice
broke the figurine.
Dangling participles obscure meaning in a similar way.
Make sure your participle clauses are well placed.
Dangling participle: Eating
six corn dogs, nausea overwhelmed Jane.This sentence suggests that nausea ate
six corn dogs.
• Eating six corn dogs, Jane felt overwhelmed
with nausea.
• Nausea overwhelmed Jane after she ate
six corn dogs.
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