Correcting Misplaced \

Modifier

By: Jerusalin S. Quitorio

January 5, 2021
Misplaced Modifier

Modifiers are words or phrases that

provide additional detail about a subject,
verb, or object in a sentence. Modifiers
can be words or phrases;
Misplaced Modifier

for example:

the word "pretty" can modify "girl," and

the phrase "who was smart" can also
modify "girl."
Misplaced Modifier

A misplaced modifier is a modifier that

is in the wrong place.
Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

Example #1:

The most common way to misplace a modifier

is to put unnecessary words between it and the
word or phrase it modifies.
Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

After painting all day, the chair was admired

by Mark.

After painting all day, Mark admired the chair

he had painted.
Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

Example #2:

Another common mistake with modifiers is to

build a sentence where the modifier simply
refers to the wrong word.
Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

Bored with all the lectures, happiness

overcame Will at the end of the school day.

Bored with all of the lectures, Will was happy

when the school day ended.
Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

Example #3:

Modifiers always need to be as close as

possible to the words they modify. This is a
common mistake, especially since
conversational English doesn't take much
notice of it.
Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

The teacher handed out slices of cake to the

children on the end of a knife.

The teacher used a knife to hand out slices of

cake to the children.
Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

Example #4:

A misplaced modifier can lead to a sentence

that is grammatically correct but fails to make
sense.
Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

George almost worked 12 hours a day to save

up for the holidays.

George worked almost 12 hours a day to save

up for the holidays.
Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

Example #5:

One of the ways in which conversational

English and formal English can differ is word
order. A sentence that clearly conveys its
meaning in speech can fail to do so when
written down.
Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

Kim saw a fluffy kitten on the way to the

office.

On the way to the office, Kim saw a fluffy

kitten.
Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

Example #6:

On occasion, a misplaced modifier will create

a sentence that is possible, but not likely.
Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

Mrs. Fullido gave me a dollar only to rake her

whole yard and wash her windows.

Mrs. Fullido only gave me a dollar to rake her

whole yard and wash her windows.
Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

Example #7:

As with the miserly Mrs. Fullido above, it's

dangerously easy to misplace a modifier that
creates a plausible meaning for your sentence
other than what you intended.
Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

Megan almost aced all her final projects.

Megan aced almost all her final projects.

More Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

Misplaced: The salesman tried to sell a

car to a customer that was
broken down.

Corrected: The salesman tried to sell a

broken-down car to a
customer.
More Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

Misplaced: Mrs. Harris hung the lovely

student’s drawing on the wall.

Corrected: Mrs. Harris hung the student’s

lovely drawing on the wall.
More Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

Misplaced: Let’s adopt the dog from the

animal shelter with black
spots.

Corrected: Let’s adopt the dog with black

spots from the animal shelter.
 Exercise A
Correct the misplaced modifiers in the sentences below.

1. They gave a cat to my sister named Fluffy.

2. The student was punished by the teacher who cheated on the
test.
3. Chased by a lion, the photographers saw a terrified gazelle.
4. The pilot wore a uniform to fly the plane that was covered in
gold buttons.
5. Three homes were reported burned by the fire department in
July.
 Exercise A
Correct the misplaced modifiers in the sentences below.

6. The car on the bridge which is green is mine.

7. Larry told me he was getting married that afternoon at night.
8. He kept a black book of all the girls he had dated in his desk.
9. I showed my dog to the veterinarian with the fleas.
10.This typewriter is used by a secretary with a wide carriage.
 Final Activity:

Create a short essay by constructing

descriptive sentences about the given topic.
Then, share it to the class by reading with
proper intonation and pronunciation. Use
appropriate modifiers in your sentences as
possible.
 Where would
☻ you like to
spend time?