Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers A great way to confuse readers

What is a Modifier? Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that provide description in sentences. Modifiers can be adjectives, adverbs, infinitive phrases, and prepositional phrases, among other things.

How do you “misplace” a modifier? When you don’t put your modifier as close to the word it describes, you have misplaced your modifier, not to mention, confused your reader. When you misplace a modifier your intended meaning may be unclear. ◦ The young girl was walking the dog in a short skirt. ◦ The dog was chasing the boy with the spiked collar.

What is a Dangling Modifier? A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence. Sometimes the action being done or subject doing the action may either be unclear or non-existent.

How does a modifier “Dangle?” Covered in sweat from the hot sun, the ocean looked inviting. ◦ Ok, so the ocean looked inviting because it was covered in sweat? ◦ Let’s add a subject and rearrange the sentence a little. The ocean looked inviting because I was covered in sweat from the hot sun.

How does a modifier “Dangle?” To iron my delicate shirt, the temperature must be set right. ◦ Let’s see…the temperature is ironing the shirt? ◦ Let’s add a subject and rearrange the sentence a little. To iron my delicate shirt, I must set the iron to the right temperature.