MISPLACED MODIFIERS

A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word it modifies / describes.
Because of the separation, sentences with this error often sound awkward, ridiculous, or confusing. Furthermore,
they can be downright illogical.

The example above suggests that a gold man owns a watch.

Misplaced modifiers can usually be corrected by moving the modifier to a more sensible place in the sentence,
generally next to the word it modifies.
Example

Now it is the watch that is gold.

There are several kinds of misplaced modifiers:

1. Misplaced adjectives are incorrectly separated from the nouns they modify and almost always distort the
intended meaning.
Example 1

Correct the error by placing the adjective next to the noun it modifies.
Corrected

Example 2

Corrected

Each of these sentences says something logical but quite different, and its correctness depends upon what the writer
has in mind.
Often, misplacing an adverb not only alters the intended meaning, but also creates a sentence whose meaning is
highly unlikely or completely ridiculous.
This sentence, for example, suggests that we brought a lunch slowly:

To repair the meaning, move the adverb slowly so that it is near ate.

Watch out for adverbs such as only, just, nearly, merely, and almost. They are often misplaced and cause an
unintended meaning.
This sentence, for example, means that I only contributed the money:

Repaired, however, the sentence means that I contributed only $10.00.

3. Misplaced phrases may cause a sentence to sound awkward and may create a meaning that does not make
sense.

The problem sentences below contain misplaced phrases that modify the wrong nouns.
To fix the errors and clarify the meaning, put the phrases next to the noun they are supposed to modify.

Example 1 (a buyer with leather seats?)

Corrected

Example 2 (a corner smoking pipes?)

Corrected

Example 3 (a house made of barbed wire?)

Corrected

4. Misplaced clauses may cause a sentence to sound awkward and may create a meaning that does not make sense.
The problem sentences below contain misplaced clauses that modify the wrong nouns.
To fix the errors and clarify the meaning, put the clauses next to the noun they are supposed to modify.
Example 1 ( a buttered woman?)

Corrected

Example 2 (a hamper that Ralph wore?)

Corrected

Misplaced modifier:

She served sandwiches to the children on paper plates.

Correction:

She served the children sandwiches on paper plates.

Example #4
Misplaced modifier:

He nearly drove the car for six hours a day.

Correction:

He drove the car for nearly six hours a day.

Example #5
Misplaced modifier:

She saw a puppy and a kitten on the way to the store.

Correction:

On the way to the store, she saw a puppy and a kitten.

Example #6
Misplaced modifier:

Only Pastor Johnson gave me $5 to clean all his sidewalks.

Correction:

Pastor Johnson gave me only $5 to clean all his sidewalks.

Example #7
Misplaced modifier:

She almost failed every exam she took.

Correction:

She failed almost every exam she took.

Example #8
Misplaced modifier:

People who laugh rarely are sad.

Correction:

People who rarely laugh are sad.

Example #9
Misplaced modifier:

He bought a horse for his sister they call Prince.

Correction:

He bought a horse they call Prince for his sister.

Example #10
Misplaced modifier:

Three offices were reported robbed by the Atlanta police last week.
Correction:
Last week, the Atlanta police reported that three offices were robbed.

Correct the misplaced modifiers in the following sentences.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

The man told me all about his childhood in the seat next to me.
The audience watched the strange performers with open mouths.
The speaker bellowed into the megaphone wearing a hard hat.
I cant believe we almost ate the whole pint of ice cream.
I nearly slept for two hours this afternoon.
The student was punished by the teacher who cheated on the test.
The pilot wore a uniform to fly the plane that was covered in gold
buttons.
8. Chased by a lion, the photographers saw a terrified gazelle.
9. Eric's foot indicated his nervousness during the interview, which jiggled
wildly.
10. I held the ticket tightly in my hand that my friend gave me.
11. The children attended the public school wearing uniforms.
12. The young girl envisioned the math test that she would take in her mind.
13. Student athletes almost filled the entire gymnasium.
14. The principal needs new teachers to help the students badly.