Quick Grammar Fix #3
Misplaced Modifiers: How to Spot and Fix Them
Misplaced modifiers are sneaky little errors that can make your writing unclear—or downright hilarious. These mistakes pop up frequently on the SAT and ACT, and learning how to spot and fix them can save you easy points.
What’s a Modifier?
A modifier is a word or phrase that provides more detail about something in the sentence. When a modifier is misplaced, it confuses the meaning or makes the sentence illogical.
The Rule
Place the modifier as close as possible to the word it’s describing.
There are three main modifier errors:
1. Misplaced Modifier
When a modifier is in the wrong spot, it can confuse the meaning.
❌ Running down the street, the dog barked at the man.
Wait—was the dog running or the man?
✅ The man, running down the street, was barked at by the dog.
2. Dangling Modifier
A dangling modifier is a phrase at the beginning of the sentence that doesn’t clearly refer to the right subject.
❌ Hoping to pass the test, the study guide was a lifesaver.
(Who’s hoping to pass? The sentence makes it sound like the study guide is!)
✅ Hoping to pass the test, I found the study guide to be a lifesaver.
3. Squinting Modifier
A squinting modifier is placed between two words, making it unclear which one it modifies.
❌ Students who study rarely fail.
Does this mean students rarely study or that students who study rarely fail?
✅ Students who study regularly rarely fail.
The Quick Test
Ask yourself:
What is the modifier describing?
Is it placed right next to that word?
Could the sentence be misinterpreted?
If the modifier isn’t clearly connected to the word it’s describing, move it!
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