HMH Into Literature.

Grammar Quick Fix.

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How to Correct Misplaced
Modifiers
Learn.
How to Correct Misplaced Modifiers.
A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that describes or gives more specific
information about the meanings of other words. Adjectives and adverbs are
common modifiers.

Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns.

The tall house stood on the hill. (The adjective tall modifies the noun.)
Image: The wooden frame of house under
construction.

Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.

Builders carefully construct houses. (The adverb carefully modifies the verb.)

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The house was quite strong. (The adverb quite modifies the adjective.)

The house was built very soundly. (The adverb very modifies the adverb.)
Learn.
How to Correct Misplaced Modifiers.
A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is placed too far away
from whatever it is intended to modify. This error can make a sentence sound
confusing and awkward. To correct, placed the word, phrase, or clause closer to
what it modifies.

Misplaced: Kara Garcia was praised for her architecture in magazines.

Revision: Kara Garcia was praised in magazines for her architecture. Image: An architect looks closely at the
drawings on her desk.

Misplaced: The inspector checked the building wearing the red windbreaker.

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Revision: The inspector wearing the red windbreaker checked the building.
Learn.
How to Correct Misplaced Modifiers.
To correct a misplaced modifier, move the modifying word, phrase, or clause as
closely as possible to what it modifies.

Misplaced phrase: Unusual houses have been designed by architects on stilts.

Revision: Unusual houses on stilts have been designed by architects.
Image: Rear view of a house on stilts at the

Misplaced clause: Stilts that are in coastal areas elevate houses. beach.

Revision: Stilts elevate houses that are in coastal areas. Tip.

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When a participle is at the
beginning of a sentence, the
subject it modifies should
follow it as closely as
possible.
• Built on sand, the house
started to sink.
Practice.
How to Correct Misplaced Modifiers.
Correct the errors in this passage.

You have probably read about the 2005 flooding of New Orleans on the
internet. After Hurricane Katrina, many people had to be rescued from
rooftops with few belongings. People had climbed up to escape flood
waters with their bare hands. When the hurricane was over, public officials Image: A aerial view from a helicopter in the

assessed the widespread devastation. Now many stilt houses that were sky as a military person surveys the flooding
of houses after Hurricane Katrina.

once flooded in New Orleans hover above areas.

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Correct.
How to Correct Misplaced Modifiers.
You have probably read on the internet about the 2005 flooding of New
Orleans. After Hurricane Katrina, many people with few belongings had to
be rescued from rooftops. People had climbed up with their bare hands to
escape flood waters. When the hurricane was over, public officials assessed
the widespread devastation. Now many stilt houses hover above areas that
Image: A aerial view from a helicopter in the
were once flooded in New Orleans. sky as a military person surveys the flooding
of houses after Hurricane Katrina.

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What Changed?
To correct the misplaced modifier, the phrase “on the internet” is moved to
modify the verb read. The phrase “with a few belongings” is moved to modify
the noun people. The phrase “with their bare hands” is moved to follow the
adverb up. The phrase “hover above areas” is moved to modify the noun
houses.
Write.
How to Correct Misplaced Modifiers.
What real-life stories do know about how people respond to extreme weather?
Describe the experience in at least three sentences. Make sure to use modifiers
correctly. Use highlighting to mark the modifiers and their subjects.

Click to start writing.

Image: A dark, swirling tornado sheds debris
as it moves along a deserted paved road..

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IMAGE CREDITS
Slide 1: ©Happy Art/Shutterstock
Slide 2: ©Happy Art/Shutterstock; house construction ©FOTOGRIN/Shutterstock
Slide 3: ©Happy Art/Shutterstock; architect ©Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock
Slide 4: ©Happy Art/Shutterstock; house on stilts ©sshepard/iStock/Getty Images
Slide 5: ©Happy Art/Shutterstock; flooding U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Bill Huntington
Slide 6: ©Happy Art/Shutterstock; flooding U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Bill Huntington
Slide 7: ©Happy Art/Shutterstock; tornado ©solarseven/Shutterstock