Modifiers in English Grammar

Modifiers

• A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that clarifies or describes another word, phrase, or clause.
• Modifiers can be used correctly or incorrectly, leading to clear or confusing sentences.

Dangling Modifiers

• A dangling modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that describes something that has been left out of the sentence.
• When a modifier is left dangling, the reader is left wondering what the modifier is supposed to modify.
• To correct a dangling modifier, add a subject to the independent clause in the sentence or change the dangling modifier to a dependent clause.

Examples of Dangling Modifiers

• Incorrect: Riding in the sports car, the world whizzed by rapidly. (Who is riding in the sports car?)
• Correct: As Michael was riding in the sports car, the world whizzed by rapidly.
• Incorrect: Walking home at night, the trees looked like spooky aliens. (Who is walking home at night?)
• Correct: As Jenny was walking home at night, the trees looked like spooky aliens.

Misplaced Modifiers

• A misplaced modifier is a modifier that is placed too far from the word or words it modifies.
• Misplaced modifiers make the sentence awkward and sometimes unintentionally humorous.
• Examples: Incorrect: She wore a bicycle helmet on her head that was too large. (It sounds like her head was too large.)
• Correct: She wore a bicycle helmet that was too large on her head.
• Incorrect: They bought a kitten for my brother they call Shadow. (It sounds like they call the brother Shadow.)
• Correct: They bought a kitten they call Shadow for my brother.

Common Misplacement of Modifiers

• Simple modifiers like only, almost, just, nearly, and barely are often used incorrectly because writers often put them in the wrong place.
• Incorrect: Rona almost found fifty cents under the sofa cushions. (It's unclear what "almost" refers to.)
• Correct: Rona found almost fifty cents under the sofa cushions. (It's clear that "almost" refers to the amount of money.)