Eliminate Modifier Problems 去除修飾語所造成的問題
As a word, phrase, or clause, a modifier describes another word, phrase, or clause. The reader becomes confused when the modifying clause or phrase is not next to the word it modifies.
(Original) To effectively implement the policy, concrete measures must be adopt by the board of directors. ◦ Logically, concrete measures can not effectively implement the policy. ◦ Therefore placing the modifying clause next to what it modifies by switching from passive to active voice makes the intended meaning clear.
(Revised1) To effectively implement the policy, the board of directors must adopt concrete measures.
Placing the subject towards the front of the sentence makes the intended meaning even more direct. (Revised2) The board of directors must adopt concrete measures to effectively implement the policy.
(Original) As an elementary student, my teacher taught me how to write Chinese characters. ◦ Similar to the above example, As an elementary student mistakenly implies the subject of the sentence my teacher. (Revised) My elementary teacher taught me how to write Chinese characters.
(Original) Being a complex formula, the statistician derived the equation with much precision. ◦ A dangling modifier lacks the proper word in a sentence to modify, thereby making the sentence illogical.
(Revised) Because the equation was a complex formula, the statistician derived it with much precision.