Misplaced ModifiersGrammar Lesson: Lesson Twenty-four

Alexandra García-ChicoCarolina Casellas

Rafael LugoRicardo Arriaga

What is a Misplaced Modifier?Basically any word, phrase, or clause that is improperly

separated from the word it modifies or describes.

These words, phrases, or clauses that are not placed close enough to the words they are supposed to modify cause needless ambiguity.

By incorrectly placing words, one can make the sentence seem even illogical.

For example…To avoid confusion in a sentence, don’t do this:

Ex: The kid was behaving in an onerous manner and was sent to the principal’s office with the red shirt.

Instead, do this:

Ex: The kid with the red shirt was behaving in an onerous manner and was sent to the principal’s office.

Other examples…Don’t do this:Ex: The dog’s owner was remiss in not feeding the dog so

he was fined for the offense for a week.

Instead:Ex: The dog's owner was remiss in not feeding the dog for

a week so he was fined for the offense.

Don’t do this:Ex: Because it was mandatory for us just to attend the

family reunion it didn’t mean that after we couldn’t go out with our friends.

Instead:Ex: Just because it was mandatory for us to attend the

family reunion didn’t mean that after that we couldn’t go out with our friends.

By placing words or word phrases incorrectly, the meaning of the sentence can change completely.

Don’t do this:Ex: Cara admitted that her negligence had led her to be

thrown out of her own house in paying the bills.

Do this:Ex: Cara admitted that her negligence in paying the bills

led her to be thrown out of her own house.

Misplaced phrases may cause a sentence to sound awkward and make no sense at all.

Don’t do this:Ex: The incumbent president had to wait for his

inauguration in order to officially be the new president only days.

Instead:Ex: The incumbent president had to wait only days for his

inauguration to officially be the new president.

Don’t do this:Ex: The judge called the man feckless for not having a

job to pay child support in a black robe.

Instead:Ex: The judge in a black robe called the man feckless

for not having a job to pay child support.

Don’t do this:Ex: Our team won because our opponent never

showed up to play by default.

Instead:Ex: Our team won by default because our opponent

never showed up to play.

Don’t do this:Ex: Sofia entered her marriage to succeed in a lifetime

commitment with hope.

Instead:Ex: Sofia entered her marriage with hope to succeed in

a lifetime commitment.

Don’t do this:Ex: Susie was accountable to Ms. Fernandez for the

rooms that she cleaned of the girls.

Instead:Ex: Susie was accountable to Ms. Fernandez for the

rooms of the girls that she cleaned.