Placement of Modifiers

More grammar for you to fall in love with…

What is a modifier? Clarifies or makes more definite the

meaning of the word it modifies. Must be placed as near to the word as

possible.

When he saw the police officer, the thief decided to make a run for it, abandoning the stolen car and running into the woods.

Misplaced Modifiers Place it as near to the word as possible

Examples

Revising Misplaced Modifiers Commander Richardson was decorated for

his action, but he was haunted by the memory of the men who had died in the battle.

The company now runs a late bus for skiers leaving at 6:15.

One of our observers sighted a plane through binoculars that she could not identify.

Revising Misplaced Modifiers The causeway has a drawbridge to permit the

passage of fishing boats from which all fishing is prohibited.

The community center was built by Mrs. Borden, who late became Mrs. Gruber, at a cost of $800,000.

She wore a straw hat on the back of her head which was obviously too small.

Mr. Jenkin, the explorer, described his trips through the rainforest in our social studies class.

Dangling Modifiers A modifying phrase must clearly modify a

word in a sentence. When there is no word to sensibly modify, it is said to “dangle”.

Example

Revising Dangling Modifiers Left alone in the house, the thunderstorm

terrified him. Enormous and architecturally striking,

everyone is impressed by the new building.

When selecting a college, the social life seems to interest some students more than education.

While talking with friends, the topic of dentistry came up.

Revising Dangling Modifiers To keep the guacamole dip from turning

brown, its surface should be covered with a thin layer of mayonnaise.

After working in the field all day, little strength was left for social activities.

Having promise to be home by midnight, the family was annoyed when I came in at two o’clock.

Riding in the glass-bottomed boat, hundreds of beautiful tropical fish could be seen.

Two-Way Modifiers Modifiers that may modify two words.

Examples

Revising Modifiers The Simpsons gave a toy to their children

with a bullet-shaped glass head and flashing red eyes.

We saw a herd of sheep on the way to our hotel.

To succeed in college, a great deal of time must be spent studying.

Topped with yogurt, many people love fresh strawberries.

Revising Modifiers By practicing a foreign language daily,

great fluency can be gained. Preferring the mountains to the seashore,

the Great Smokies were chosen as our vacation spot.

One can see more than a hundred lakes, flying at an altitude of several thousand feet.

Rounding a sharp curve, a detour sign warned us of danger.