Misplaced Modifiers

Because word order is crucial to the meaning of an English sentence, writers must position modifiers very carefully. Otherwise, readers will misinterpret the intended meaning.

 Modifiers (adverbs, adjectives, and phrases and clauses used as adverbs and adjectives) conventionally modify the appropriate grammatical element which is nearest. Misplacing the modifier results in ambiguity or confusion.

 A Misplaced Modifier is a word, phrase, or clause whose position in the sentence implies that it modifies one word or phrase when the writer means it to modify a different one.

---

Some Examples:

Ransacking the attic, the antique wedding dress was at last discovered by the young widow.
[revision] Ransacking the attic, the young widow at last discovered the antique wedding dress.

No matter how ridiculous, the biker insisted on wearing a homburg hat.
[revision] No matter how ridiculous he looked, the biker insisted on wearing a homburg hat.
[another revision] The biker insisted on wearing a homburg hat, no matter how ridiculous it looked.

While searching the Net, the toilet overflowed the co-ed's cramped room.
[revision] While searching the Net, the co-ed discovered the toilet had overflowed her cramped room.

Princess Anne is the daughter of Queen Elizabeth and a noted equestrian performer. Last year, the 37-year-old daughter of the Queen and her horse finished fourth in the National Hunt at Hereford.
[revision of the problem clause] Last year, Queen Elizabeth's 37-year-old daughter and her horse finished fourth in the National Hunt at Hereford.

---

Strategies for Revising Misplaced Modifiers

• Place modifying words carefully: words such as only, nearly, rarely, just, simply, occasionally, and hardly, should always come immediately before the words they modify, or confusion results.

Anyone who golfs occasionally makes a hole-in-one.
[revision] Every occasional golfer makes a hole-in-one.
[revision] Every golfer occasionally makes a hole-in-=one.

The hostess just nodded to her as she entered.
[revision] The hostess nodded only to her as she entered.
[revision] The hostess only nodded as she entered.

• Place misplaced phrases in their correct position:

The duke pointed out the portrait of his last duchess to the guests mounted on the wall.
[revision] The duke pointed out to his guests the portrait of his last duchess mounted on the wall.

The learned scholar taught a course last semester in sexual harrassment at Emory University.
[revision] Last semester at Emory University, the learned scholar taught a course in sexual harrassment.
[revision] Last semester, the learned scholar taught a course "Sexual Harrassment at Emory University."

• Place misplaced dependent clauses in their correct position:

Mike Millikin knew that the investment would pay huge dividends before he decided to buy the stock.
[revision] Before he decided to buy the stock, Mike Millikin knew the investment would pay huge dividends.

The sexual abstinence program will reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases which will benefit everyone.
[revision] The sexual abstinence program, which will benefit everyone, will reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted diseased.