MODIFIER PROBLEMS

Misplaced Modifiers

A modifier should be placed next to the word it describes.

Example

Note how the placement of the modifier creates different possible meanings:

Note how different placement of the word only creates a difference in meaning
between these two sentences.

Sentence A means that the shopper did not buy any ties.

Sentence B means that the shopper visited only the tie department.

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A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from
the word it describes. Sentences with misplaced modifiers often sound awkward,
confusing, or downright illogical.

Some frequently misplaced single words are

almost even exactly hardly just merely nearly only scarcely simply

Misplaced single word

Example

The logical meaning of this sentence is not that the vendor almost sold all of her
pottery, but that she sold almost all of her pottery.

Therefore, almost correctly belongs next to all.

Misplaced phrase

Example #1

As written, this sentence means that children were served on paper plates.

On paper plates is misplaced.

Correctly written, the sentence means that hamburgers were served, on paper
plates.

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 Example #2

As written, this sentence means that the car is carrying a briefcase. Carrying a
briefcase is misplaced.

Correctly written, the sentence means that the man is carrying a briefcase.

Misplaced clause

Example #1

As written, this sentence means that the store was broken..

Correctly written, the sentence means that the toy was broken.

Example #2

As written, the sentence means that I forgot my keys after I got home.

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Squinting modifiers
A squinting modifier is a modifier misplaced so that it may describe two situations.

Example

The sentence above is unclear.

Does it mean that I told my son when the game was over?

OR

Does it mean that I would play with him when the game was over?

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Awkward separations
An awkward separation creates a confusing meaning.

Example

As written, this sentence separates the auxiliary verb from the main verb, creating an
awkward gap.

Dangling Modifier Errors

A dangling modifier is "dangling" because its placement gives it nothing to modify.

In many cases, the dangling modifier appears at the beginning of a sentence,

although it can also come at the end. Sometimes the error occurs because the
sentence fails to specify anything to which the modifier can refer. At other times the
dangling modifier is placed next to the wrong noun or noun substitute: a noun that it
does not modify.

Dangling modifiers may appear in a variety of forms.

Dangling participles:

In this sentence, the modifier passing the building is positioned next to the broken
window.

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The resulting meaning is that "the broken window" is "passing the building," clearly
not the intended meaning.

In this sentence, the modifier once revised and corrected is positioned next to I,
suggesting that "I" have been "revised and corrected."

Dangling gerund:

In this sentence, the modifier after roasting for three hours is positioned next to
we, meaning that "we" have been "roasting for three hours."

Dangling infinitive:

In this sentence, the modifier to walk a high wire is positioned next to a pole. As a
result, the sentence means that "a pole" can walk "a high wire."

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Dangling elliptical clause:

In this sentence, the modifier when just six years old is positioned next to my
grandmother, suggesting that my six year old grandmother taught me ballet.

How to repair dangling modifiers – two options:

1. Create a word for the modifier to describe. Place it next to the modifier.

(Sometimes you will need to invent a subject.)

With the modifier next to my paper, the sentence clearly means that "my paper" was
"corrected and rewritten."

With the modifier next to an acrobat, the sentence clearly means that "an acrobat"
can "walk a high wire."

2. Rewrite the modifier (phrase) as an adverbial clause, thus eliminating the

need for an immediate word to modify.

With its own subject, "was revised and corrected" clearly refers to "my paper."

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With its own subject, "was just six years old" clearly refers to "I."

Now the clause clearly shows that "we" have "roasted the turkey."

Dangling Modifiers

Discussion. Study the following

01. Writing carefully, the essay was finished in time to hand in.
Writing carefully, the student finished the essay in time to hand in.
Because the student wrote carefully, the essay was finished in time to hand in.

02. My flesh felt creepy after seeing a monster movie.

My flesh felt creepy after I saw a monster movie.
After seeing a monster movie, I felt creepy.

03. At the age of four, my grandmother taught me to knit.

When I was four, my grandmother taught me to knit.
At the age of four, I was taught to knit by my grandmother.

04. To do well in college, good grades are essential.

To do well in college, you will need to get good grades.
For you to do well in college, good grades are essential.

05. Crowded in the car, the trip was uncomfortable.

Crowded in the car, we were uncomfortable during the trip.
Because we were crowded in the car, the trip was uncomfortable.

06. While still a student, a job offer was received.

While still a student, she received a job offer.
While she was still a student, a job offer was received.

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07. After doing calculus problems for hours, John's foot went to sleep.
After John had done calculus problems for hours, his foot went to sleep.
After doing calculus problems for hours, John noticed his foot went to sleep.

08. Driving over the hill, the ocean came into view.
When we drove over the hill, the ocean came into view.
Driving over the hill, we saw the ocean come into view.

09. Confused by complicated wording, the contract made no sense.

Confused by the complicated wording, we couldn't make sense of the contract.
Because we were confused by the complicated wording, the contract made no
sense.

10. After clearing his throat, his voice sounded much better to me.
After Joe cleared his throat, his voice sounded much better to me.
After clearing his throat, Joe sounded much better to me.

Dangling Modifiers - Exercise

Directions: Rewrite the following sentences to repair any dangling modifiers.

01. After walking for hours, the car looked wonderful.

02. While watching a classic film, commercials are irritating.

03. To please the children, some fireworks were set off early.

04. At the age of twelve, my mother entered me in a contest.

05. By taking good care of myself, the flu never kept me from work this winter.

06. Budgeting his money carefully, his debts were finally paid.

07. To lose weight, fatty foods should be avoided.

08. By digging test wells, new oil sources were located.

09. Dropped in the bushes, the child found the missing keys.

10. Carrying a heavy pile of books, her foot caught on the step.

11. To succeed in school, classes should be attended.

12. After playing soccer all afternoon, Tim's ankle felt sore.

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13. Driving over the speed limit, our car was spotted by the police.

14. Crowded in the living room, the atmosphere was stifling.

15. After working on the math problems for hours, Jim's back ached.

16. At the age of five, my dad taught me about cars.

17. To placate the boss, her report was turned in early.

18. By watching my diet, excess weight can be avoided.

19. After learning sign language, our communication was much easier.

20. Bothered by the loud music next door, Jill's work could not be done.

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