Where to Place Modifiers in a Sentence

Objective To help the student write clear, precise sentences by placing modifiers correctly

Modifiers  Modifying words and phrases are used to explain, expand, or clarify the meaning of a sentence  If modifiers are not properly placed, the sentence might be confusing

Placing Modifiers Find the misplaced modifiers in the following sentences:  Myrna distracted Jim when he was about to study with her friends for the test.  James entered the room while I was watering the plants with a cup of tea.

Placing Modifiers Look at the correct position of the modifiers now.  When Jim was about to study for the test. Myrna distracted him with her friends.  James entered the room with a cup of tea while I was watering the plants.

 In the first case, it is understood that Jim was going to study with Myrna’s friends  Once the modifiers are placed correctly, it is understood that Myrna and her friends distracted Jim when he was about to study Placing Modifiers

 In the second case, it is first understood that I was watering the plants with a cup of tea  Once the modifiers are placed correctly, it is understood that James entered the room with a cup of tea Placing Modifiers

The Use of Commas With Modifiers Punctuation is also very important when placing modifiers.  John, my brother sneaked out of the house last night.  John, my brother, sneaked out of the house last night.

 In the first example, it is understood that I am talking to someone called John, and telling him that my brother sneaked out last night  In the second example, it is understood that John, who is my brother, sneaked out last night The Use of Commas With Modifiers

Remember  To write clear sentences, place adjectives, adverbs, phrases, and other modifiers near the word or phrase being modified  Use commas correctly to convey the message properly

For More Information  Index English Grammar and Composition  Tons of Fun with Grammar nces_and_phrases.htm  Grammar Book Table of Contents cnt_gram.html

Center for Language Development Across the Disciplines Prepared by: Thalia N. Nazario-Santiago English Mentor April-June 2003 Revised by: Patricia Kidd August 2004 Revised by: Prof. Delia Serrano January 2005