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Usage Modifier Problems

A modifier is a word that limits or describes another word. It should be placed next to the word it is modifying to avoid ambiguity. There are different types of misplaced modifiers such as dangling modifiers where the modifier has nothing to modify, squinting modifiers that could describe two things, and awkwardly separated phrases. To fix misplaced modifiers, the modifier should be placed next to what it describes or rewritten as an adverbial clause for clarity.

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112 views

Usage Modifier Problems

A modifier is a word that limits or describes another word. It should be placed next to the word it is modifying to avoid ambiguity. There are different types of misplaced modifiers such as dangling modifiers where the modifier has nothing to modify, squinting modifiers that could describe two things, and awkwardly separated phrases. To fix misplaced modifiers, the modifier should be placed next to what it describes or rewritten as an adverbial clause for clarity.

Uploaded by

Me
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is a modifier?

A modifier is a word that functions to


limit the meaning of another word, phrase
or clause. Writing with clarity means
making sure that connections between
modifiers and the word(s) they are
modifying is understood.
A modifier should be placed next to the
word it describes.

Example:

Jones lifted the heavy box containing


supplies.
 Notehow the placement of the modifier
creates different possible meanings:

The instructor just nodded to Elvis as she


came in.

The instructor nodded just to Elvis as she


came in.

The instructor nodded to Elvis just as she


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

The shopper only looked at ties.


The shopper looked only at ties.
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

The vendor almost sold all of her pottery at


the crafts fair.

misplaced modifier

Correct

The vendor sold almost all of her pottery at


the crafts fair.
Misplaced Phrase

She served hamburgers to the children


on paper plates.

misplaced modifier

Correct:
She served hamburgers on paper
plates to the children.
Example #2

The man walked toward the car


carrying a briefcase.

misplaced modifier

Correct:
The man carrying a briefcase walked
toward the car.
Misplaced Clause

We returned the toy to the store that


was broken.

misplaced modifier

Correct:

We returned the toy that was broken to the


store.
Example #2
I remembered that I had forgotten my
keys after I got home.

misplaced modifier
Correct:
I remembered after I got home that I had
forgotten my keys.
OR
After I got home, I remembered that I had
forgotten my keys.
Squinting Modifiers
A squinting modifier is a
modifier misplaced so that it
may describe two situations.
Example:

I told my son when the game was over I


would play with him.
Squinting modifier
Correct:
When the game was over, I told my son
that I would play with him.
OR
I told my son I would play with him when the
game was over.
Awkward Separations

An awkward separation
creates confusing meaning.
Example:
Many children have, by the time they are six lost a tooth.

awkwardly separated
Correct:
By the time they are six, many children have lost a
tooth.
OR
Many children have lost a tooth by the time they
are six.
Dangling Modifier Errors
A dangling modifier is
“dangling” because its
placement gives it nothing to
modify.

Dangling modifiers may appear


in a variety of forms.
Dangling Participles:

Passing the building, the broken window was


clearly visible.

The resulting meaning is that “ the broken


window” is “passing the building,” clearly
not the intended meaning.
Example #2

Once revised and corrected, I got an A.

In this sentence, the modifier once


revised and corrected is positioned next
to I, suggesting that “I” have been
“revised and corrected.”
Dangling Gerund:

After roasting for three hours, we


turned the oven off.

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:

To walk a high wire, a pole is needed for


balance.

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.”
Dangling Elliptical Clause:

When just six years old, my grandmother


tried to teach me ballet.

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?

1. Create a word for the modifier to


describe. Place it next to the
modifier.

(Sometimes you will need to invent a


subject)
Dangling: Once corrected and rewritten, I got an A.

Revised: Once corrected and rewritten, my paper


got an A.

Dangling: To walk a high wire, a pole is needed for


balance.

Revised: To walk a high wire, an acrobat needs


a pole for balance.
2. Rewrite the modifier (phrase) as an
adverbial clause, thus eliminating the need
for an immediate word to modify.

Dangling: Once revised and corrected, I got


an A.

Revised: Once my paper was revised and


corrected, I got an A.
Dangling: When just six years old, my
grandmother tried to teach ballet.

Revised: When I was just six years old, my


grandmother tried to teach me ballet.

Dangling: After roasting for two hours, we


turned the oven off.
Revised: After we roasted the turkey for two
hours, we turned the oven off.
The End
Thank You!!!

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