Misplaced Modifiers

A misplaced modifier, because it is in the wrong place, describes the wrong word or words.

MISPLACED image
[Was the White House flying over Washington?]

To correct a misplaced modifier, place the modifier as close as possible to the word or words it modifies, often directly before it.

CLEAR image

Four constructions often lead to misplaced modifiers.

  1. Modifiers such as only, almost, hardly, nearly, and just. These words need to be immediately before — not just close to — the words or phrases they modify.

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    [Joanne actually ate; she did not “almost” eat.]

  2. Modifiers that are prepositional phrases.

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  3. Modifiers that start with -ing verbs.

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    [The mountain was not wearing flip-flops; Javier was.]

  4. Modifier clauses that start with who, whose, that, or which.

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    [The bus was not crying; the baby was.]