Modifiers The Good, the Misplaced, and the Dangling NEC FACET Center

What is a modifier? l A word or group of words that describes, limits, or qualifies the meaning of another word or phrase. l Example: Sitting under the beach umbrella, Ted saw two large sharks.

Sentence without Modifiers l Ted saw sharks. l Notice that the reader now has far less information.

Another Misplaced Modifier l The park ranger spotted a beaver peering through his binoculars.

Purpose of Modifiers l To add detail to sentences l To make sentences more interesting. l To create clearer communication when correctly used

How can modifiers cause problems? l by appearing in the wrong position l therefore, by creating an unintentionally funny or misleading sentence

Example l Ted saw two large sharks sitting under the beach umbrella. l Notice that the writer has carelessly misplaced the modifier, which now seems to describe sharks.

Another Misplaced Modifier l The park ranger spotted a beaver peering through his binoculars.

l Peering through his binoculars, the park ranger spotted a beaver. The Problem Corrected

How about this one? l Hidden inside an ice cube, Gerald found the coin.

l Gerald found the coin hidden inside an ice cube. The Problem Corrected

How about this sentence? l The man told the police that the thief had escaped on the telephone.

Definitely misplaced! l The man told the police that the thief had escaped on the telephone.

The Problem Corrected l The man on the telephone told the police that the thief had escaped. or... l On the telephone, the man told the police that the thief had escaped.

What other types of modifiers cause problems? What other types of modifiers cause problems? l Misplaced groups of words do not cause the only modifier problems. l Misplaced individual words can create just as much trouble for the writer or reader.

Take a look at this sentence. l The only coat on sale at the new mens clothing store was marked down 50%.

Now look at a small change. l The only coat on sale at the new mens clothing store was marked down 50%. l The coat on sale at the new mens clothing store was marked down only 50%.

One more time... l The only coat on sale at the new mens clothing store was marked down 50%. l The coat on sale at the new mens clothing store was marked down only 50%. l The coat on sale only at the new mens clothing store was marked down 50%.

Look closely... l Ben needs someone to help with the yard work badly. l What does this sentence really say?

Look closely... l Ben needs someone to help with the yard work badly. l Badly appears to modify help--to describe the quality of that help.

The Sentence Rewritten

l Ben badly needs someone to help with the yard work. l Badly now clearly modifies needs.

Section Summary l Carelessly placed modifiers create problems. l Be sure to place all modifiers near the word they describe.

How else can modifiers cause problems? l Look closely at the following sentence.

l Reading Faulkners A Rose for Emily, the ending surprised me. l What word in the sentence does Reading... modify? l The sentence contains no such word.

Dangling Modifiers l When a modifier describes another word that does not appear in the sentence, we say the modifier isdangling. l The reader will probably try to attach it to a word in the sentence, but the result may prove confusing.

The Problem Examined l Reading Faulkners A Rose for Emily, the ending surprised me. l The sentence appears to say that the ending was reading the story. l The sentence does not contain a subject to do the reading.

The Sentence Revised When I read Faulkners A Rose for Emily, the ending surprised me.

Dangling Again l While waiting for the bus, the sky turned threatening. l Who is waiting?

Dangling Again l While waiting for the bus, the sky turned threatening. l Is the sky really waiting for the bus?

The Dangling Modifier Revised While we waited for the bus, the sky turned threatening.

The Dangling Modifier Revised While we waited for the bus, the sky turned threatening. Yes, the sentence now contains a logical subject.

A Final Dangling Modifier l When measured, a scientist recorded three milliliters of chloroform. l According to the sentence, the scientist was measured.

The Dangling Modifier Revised When she measured the chloroform, a scientist recorded three milliliters.

Caution to Writers l Spotting dangling modifiers in your own writing may prove difficult. l Your brain automatically supplies the missing information.

Think of Your Readers l While you know what you mean, your readers may feel confused.

Therefore... a s you edit your work, always ask the following two questions:

l Have I used modifiers when needed? l Have I positioned them near the correct word?

If you choose your modifiers carefully and cast them in the right roles... the sequel to The Good, the Misplaced, and the Dangling will be A Few Good Sentences.