Misplaced Modifiers

Put modifiers as close as possible to the words they modify. The rule is that simple. The trouble is that we often think of the modifier out of sequence. The modifier's placement may make sense to us, but it may be puzzling for a reader.

I. Placement of Single Words

Make sure to put modifiers next to the words they modify:

Wrong: Fred ordered a hot cup of tea.
Right: Fred ordered a cup of hot tea.
[Unless, of course, Fred has masochistic tendencies.]

Some words are commonly misplaced: hardly, only, scarcely, barely, but.

Wrong: Because Fred was not hungry, he only wanted some tea and a muffin.
Right: Because Fred was not hungry, he wanted only some tea and a muffin.

In addition, these words sometimes lead to double negative constructions:

Wrong: They haven't but a single hope.
Right: They have but a single hope.

II. Placement of Phrases and Clauses

As with words, place modifying phrases and clauses close to the words they modify.

Wrong: The school needed someone to coach basketball with experience.
Right: The school needed someone with experience to coach basketball.

Wrong: Fred handed his paper to his teacher that was late.
Right: Fred handed his paper that was late to his teacher.

Avoid placing modifiers in positions that make the meaning of the sentence ambiguous. Such modifiers are called squinting constructions:

Wrong: The teacher refused before the contract was signed to perform hall duty.
[This sentence can mean either that the teacher refused before the signing of the contract or that the teacher refused to perform the duty during that period which was not under contract. The first is a blanket refusal; the second, a temporary refusal.]

III. Dangling Modifiers

Dangling modifiers are the howlers of grammar:

Unaware of any danger, the ball sped towards Fred's nose.

If we take this sentence seriously, balls are conscious beings. However, the problem here is that the first construction does not modify the main clause's subject. There are two ways to fix this problem. Either change the modifier or change the main clause:

Because Fred was unaware of any danger, he did not see the ball speed toward his nose.
or
Unaware of any danger, Fred did not know the ball was speeding towards his nose.

Notice that both corrections make the real subject - Fred - clear to the reader.

Quiz

1. The general rule is to place modifiers -
A. as near as possible to the words they modify.
B. immediately before the words they modify.
C. as close as possible to the start of the sentence.

2. How does one fix dangling modifiers?
A. Change the ambiguous phrase into a main clause.
B. Make clear the real subject of the sentence.

3."Fred found the fish in the bucket he had caught earlier in the day."
A. This sentence is correct.
B. This sentence has a misplaced modifier.

4. "The man learned when it was vital to trust in others."
A. This sentence is correct.
B. This sentence has a misplaced modifier.

5. "I only know ten of the players on the Yankees."
A. This sentence is correct.
B. This sentence has a misplaced modifier.

6. Find the error: Believing themselves above^a the law, the public^b hates those powerful politicians who^c bend the rules for their own^d gain. No Error^e
A. B. C. D. E.

7. Find the error:With only five^a minutes remaining in the test, Jill realized suddenly^b that she had not barely^c begun the last^d mulitple choice section. No Error^e
A. B. C. D. E.

8. How could one correct: "Having barely time enough to learn two games, we only played bridge and cribbage. "
A. Having barely time enough to learn two games, we only played
B. Not having barely enough time to learn two games, we only played
C. Having scarcely time enough to learn two games, we only played
D. Having barely enough time to learn two games, we played only
E. Because there was barely time enough to learn two games, we only played

9. How could one correct: "Rachel was sad that she had lost her camera and purse hiking in the park."
A. Rachel was sad that she had lost her camera and purse hiking in the park.
B. Saddened by the loss of her purse and camera, Rachel hiked through the park.
C. Rachel was sad while hiking through the park that she had lost her camera and purse.
D. Rachel was sad because while hiking in the park she had lost her camera and purse.
E. Hiking in the park, Rachel lost her purse and camera.

10. "Caribbean people also show resentment in the poem about bread, which I am not able to find. "
A. This sentence is correct.
B. This sentence has misplaced modifier.

of ten right