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Modifiers The Good, the Misplaced, and the Dangling NEC FACET Center
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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.
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Sentence without Modifiers l Ted saw sharks. l Notice that the reader now has far less information.
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Another Misplaced Modifier l The park ranger spotted a beaver peering through his binoculars.
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Purpose of Modifiers l To add detail to sentences l To make sentences more interesting. l To create clearer communication when correctly used
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How can modifiers cause problems? l by appearing in the wrong position l therefore, by creating an unintentionally funny or misleading sentence
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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.
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Another Misplaced Modifier l The park ranger spotted a beaver peering through his binoculars.
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l Peering through his binoculars, the park ranger spotted a beaver. The Problem Corrected
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How about this one? l Hidden inside an ice cube, Gerald found the coin.
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l Gerald found the coin hidden inside an ice cube. The Problem Corrected
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How about this sentence? l The man told the police that the thief had escaped on the telephone.
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Definitely misplaced! l The man told the police that the thief had escaped on the telephone.
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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.
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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.
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Take a look at this sentence. l The only coat on sale at the new mens clothing store was marked down 50%.
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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%.
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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%.
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Look closely... l Ben needs someone to help with the yard work badly. l What does this sentence really say?
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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.
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The Sentence Rewritten
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l Ben badly needs someone to help with the yard work. l Badly now clearly modifies needs.
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Section Summary l Carelessly placed modifiers create problems. l Be sure to place all modifiers near the word they describe.
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How else can modifiers cause problems? l Look closely at the following sentence.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The Sentence Revised When I read Faulkners A Rose for Emily, the ending surprised me.
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Dangling Again l While waiting for the bus, the sky turned threatening. l Who is waiting?
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Dangling Again l While waiting for the bus, the sky turned threatening. l Is the sky really waiting for the bus?
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The Dangling Modifier Revised While we waited for the bus, the sky turned threatening.
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The Dangling Modifier Revised While we waited for the bus, the sky turned threatening. Yes, the sentence now contains a logical subject.
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A Final Dangling Modifier l When measured, a scientist recorded three milliliters of chloroform. l According to the sentence, the scientist was measured.
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The Dangling Modifier Revised When she measured the chloroform, a scientist recorded three milliliters.
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Caution to Writers l Spotting dangling modifiers in your own writing may prove difficult. l Your brain automatically supplies the missing information.
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Think of Your Readers l While you know what you mean, your readers may feel confused.
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Therefore... a s you edit your work, always ask the following two questions:
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l Have I used modifiers when needed? l Have I positioned them near the correct word?
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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.
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