D. Misplaced Modifiers Misplaced modifiers are words that, because of awkward placement, do not describe the words the writer intended them to describe. Misplaced modifiers often confuse the meaning of a sentence. To avoid this problem, place modifiers as close as possible to what they modify. Misplaced modifiers are words that, because of awkward placement, do not describe the words the writer intended them to describe. Misplaced modifiers often confuse the meaning of a sentence. To avoid this problem, place modifiers as close as possible to what they modify.

Tony bought an old car from a crooked dealer with a faulty transmission. Tony bought an old car from a crooked dealer with a faulty transmission. ( The dealer had a faulty transmission?) ( The dealer had a faulty transmission?) Tony bought an old car with a faulty transmission from a crooked dealer. ( The words describing the old car are now placed next to the "car. ") Tony bought an old car with a faulty transmission from a crooked dealer. ( The words describing the old car are now placed next to the "car. ") I nearly earned a hundred dollars last week. I nearly earned a hundred dollars last week. (You just missed earning a hundred dollars, but in fact earned nothing?) (You just missed earning a hundred dollars, but in fact earned nothing?)

I earned nearly a hundred dollars last week. I earned nearly a hundred dollars last week. ( The meaning — that you earned a little under a hundred dollars — is now clear. ) ( The meaning — that you earned a little under a hundred dollars — is now clear. ) Bill yelled at the howling dog m his underwear. Bill yelled at the howling dog m his underwear. (The dog wore underwear?) (The dog wore underwear?) Bill, in his underwear, yelled at the howling dog. (The words describing Bill are placed next to him. ) Bill, in his underwear, yelled at the howling dog. (The words describing Bill are placed next to him. )

Practice Practice Underline the misplaced word or words in each sentence. Then rewrite the sentence, placing related words together and thereby making the meaning clear. Examples: Underline the misplaced word or words in each sentence. Then rewrite the sentence, placing related words together and thereby making the meaning clear. Examples: Charlotte returned the hamburger to the supermarket that was spoiled. Charlotte returned the hamburger to the supermarket that was spoiled. Charlotte returned the hamburger that was spoiled to the supermarket. Charlotte returned the hamburger that was spoiled to the supermarket. Our phone almost rang fifteen times last night. Our phone almost rang fifteen times last night. Our phone rang almost fifteen times last night. Our phone rang almost fifteen times last night.

1. He killed the wasp that stung him with a newspaper. 1. He killed the wasp that stung him with a newspaper. 2. Joanne decided to live with her grandparents when she attended college to save money. 2. Joanne decided to live with her grandparents when she attended college to save money. 3. I adopted a dog from a junkyard which is very close to my heart. 3. I adopted a dog from a junkyard which is very close to my heart. 4. Tim and Tita decided to send their daughter to college on the day she was born. 4. Tim and Tita decided to send their daughter to college on the day she was born. 5. We could see the football stadium driving across the bridge. 5. We could see the football stadium driving across the bridge. 6. I glared at the man who slipped ahead of me in the ticket line angrily. 6. I glared at the man who slipped ahead of me in the ticket line angrily.

7. Clyde saw a three-car accident going to work. 7. Clyde saw a three-car accident going to work. ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ________________________________ 8. I noticed a gray, furry nest in a corner of the apartment built by a gigantic spider. 8. I noticed a gray, furry nest in a corner of the apartment built by a gigantic spider. ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ________________________________ 9. The father ordered the meal for his family ranging from fried shrimp to chopped beef. 9. The father ordered the meal for his family ranging from fried shrimp to chopped beef.

Also Important Also Important When using modifiers like only, just, almost, and nearly, try to lace them as close as possible to the words they modify and generally before them. When using modifiers like only, just, almost, and nearly, try to lace them as close as possible to the words they modify and generally before them. Examples: Examples: MISPLACEDClaudia mentioned the operation she had had in the elevator. MISPLACEDClaudia mentioned the operation she had had in the elevator. (Did she have the operation in the elevator?) (Did she have the operation in the elevator?) STANDARDIn the elevator, Claudia mentioned the operation she had had. STANDARDIn the elevator, Claudia mentioned the operation she had had. MISPLACED She read a poem to the class that didn ’ t seem to make any sense. MISPLACED She read a poem to the class that didn ’ t seem to make any sense. (The class didn ’ t seem to make any sense?) (The class didn ’ t seem to make any sense?) STANDARD She read to the class a poem that didn ’ t seem to make any sense. STANDARD She read to the class a poem that didn ’ t seem to make any sense.

Adverbial phrases and clauses that tell when, where or how may, without risk, be put at the beginning of sentences, even though they may be some distance from the verbs they modify. To begin your sentences, now and then in this way, provides a refreshing change from too many subject-first sentences. Adverbial phrases and clauses that tell when, where or how may, without risk, be put at the beginning of sentences, even though they may be some distance from the verbs they modify. To begin your sentences, now and then in this way, provides a refreshing change from too many subject-first sentences. Example: Example: WHEN As graduation approached, I began to study college catalogues. WHEN As graduation approached, I began to study college catalogues. WHERE At the top of the mountain, the wind is always strong. WHERE At the top of the mountain, the wind is always strong. HOWWith lightning speed, Mother finished the household chores and began her writing. HOWWith lightning speed, Mother finished the household chores and began her writing.

The beginning of a sentence is often a good place, too, for a troublesome adverbial modifier that seems to fit in no where else. The beginning of a sentence is often a good place, too, for a troublesome adverbial modifier that seems to fit in no where else. Example: Example: MISPLACEDI got on a bus that was going to the Ball Park by mistake. MISPLACEDI got on a bus that was going to the Ball Park by mistake. We would normally put by mistake after bus. In this sentence, however, such an arrangement would be awkward and confusing. We would normally put by mistake after bus. In this sentence, however, such an arrangement would be awkward and confusing. AWKWARDI got on a bus by mistake that was going to the Ball Park. AWKWARDI got on a bus by mistake that was going to the Ball Park. Placing the phrase at the beginning of the sentence solves the problem. Placing the phrase at the beginning of the sentence solves the problem. CLEARBy mistake, I got on a bus that was going to the Ball Park. CLEARBy mistake, I got on a bus that was going to the Ball Park.

Almost my modifier can be misplaced if there are two or more words in the sentence to which it could possibly attach itself. Consider the following errors: Almost my modifier can be misplaced if there are two or more words in the sentence to which it could possibly attach itself. Consider the following errors: Examples: Examples: MISPLACEDThe old man walked into the lamp post going to the optician. (Who has bad eyesight, the old man or the lamp post?) MISPLACEDThe old man walked into the lamp post going to the optician. (Who has bad eyesight, the old man or the lamp post?) CORRECTEDWhile going to the optician, the old man bumped into the lamp post. CORRECTEDWhile going to the optician, the old man bumped into the lamp post. Or Or Going to the optician, the old man bumped into the lamp post. Going to the optician, the old man bumped into the lamp post. MISPLACEDThe performers danced while we joined hands with gusto. (Who is gusto?) MISPLACEDThe performers danced while we joined hands with gusto. (Who is gusto?) CORRECTEDThe performers danced with gusto while we joined hands. CORRECTEDThe performers danced with gusto while we joined hands.

Watch out for dependent clauses beginning with which or that; make sure they immediately follow the word they modify. Watch out for dependent clauses beginning with which or that; make sure they immediately follow the word they modify. Examples: Examples: MISPLACED He crossed the stream in a canoe, which was recently stocked with fist. MISPLACED He crossed the stream in a canoe, which was recently stocked with fist. CORRECTEDIn a canoe, he crossed the stream, which was recently stocked with fish. CORRECTEDIn a canoe, he crossed the stream, which was recently stocked with fish. MISPLACEDThe football game was played in our stadium that was full on excitement. MISPLACEDThe football game was played in our stadium that was full on excitement. CORRECTEDThe football games that was full of excitement was played in our stadium. CORRECTEDThe football games that was full of excitement was played in our stadium.

Do not make the sentence ambiguous by placing your modifier in such a way that it could modify either of two parts of a sentence. Do not make the sentence ambiguous by placing your modifier in such a way that it could modify either of two parts of a sentence. Example: Example: MISPLACED Students who study often get good grades. (Does often modify study or get good grades?) MISPLACED Students who study often get good grades. (Does often modify study or get good grades?) CORRECTED Students who often study get good grades. CORRECTED Students who often study get good grades. Or Or Students who study get good grades often. Students who study get good grades often.