MISPLACED MODIFIERS IN GRAMMAR, Study notes of Grammar and Composition

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Misplaced

Modifier

s

What is a Modifier? It is a word or phrase that qualifies (modifies) a word, phrase or clause. Types:

• (^) adjectives (modify nouns and pronouns)
• (^) adverbs (modify verbs)
• (^) modifier phrases (modify an action or an actor)

Example:

On her way home, Carmie found a

gold man’s watch.

Misplaced Modifier

Correct:

On her way home, Carmie found

a man’s gold watch.

MISPLACED

WORDS

Misplaced Adjectives

Misplaced adjectives are

incorrectly separated from the

nouns they modify and almost

always distort the intended

meaning.

Placement of Adverb Placement of adverb can also change meaning in sentences and also creates a sentence whose meaning is highly unlikely or completely ridiculous.

Example:

Incorrect: To repair the meaning, move the adverb slowly so that it is near ate. Correct:

Misplaced Phrases

Misplaced Phrases Misplaced phrases may cause a sentence to sound awkward and may create a meaning that does not make sense.

Example:

Incorrect: Corrected:

Misplaced Clauses

Example:

Incorrect: To fix the errors and clarify the meaning, put the clauses next to the noun they are supposed to modify. Corrected:

Placing Modifiers Correctly

• (^) Once you have identified a modifier, you need to identify the person, place or thing that it is modifying. Modifiers usually have to accompany the thing they are modifying or go as close to it as possible, or should be placed next to the word it describes.