Misplaced Modifiers Solution

A modifier should always be placed as near as possible to the word it modifies. A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that lands in the wrong place in the sentence.

Look at these examples:

• Sharon put the hat on her head that she bought yesterday.

  Obviously, the clause that she bought yesterday is supposed to modify the noun hat. However, since the modifying clause is placed next to the word head, the sentence seems to suggest that Sharon bought her head yesterday. The solution to this misplaced modifier problem is obvious: move the modifier to place it next to the word it modifies.

  Sharon put the hat that she bought yesterday on her head.

• I am writing a research paper about Queen Elizabeth in my English class.

  This error is a little less obvious than the one in the previous sentence. The problem here is that according to this sentence, my research paper topic is "Queen Elizabeth in my English class." The phrase in my English class tells about me, not about Queen Elizabeth. Again, to correct the misplaced modifier error, place the modifier next to the word it modifies.

  In my English class, I am writing a research paper on Queen Elizabeth.

• Priscila only took one test today.

  The little word only is the most frequently misplaced modifier. The word only limits or shows contrast. The issue here is not that Priscila only took one test--as opposed to passing one test, failing one test, or refusing to take one test. The issue is that Priscila took only one test--as opposed to taking two or three tests. To correct the misplaced modifier error, move the modifier next to the word it modifies.

  Priscila took only one test yesterday.

A misplaced modifier error occurs when a word, phrase, or clause lands in the wrong place in the sentence. You should be especially careful to avoid two specific kinds of misplacement:

• Split infinitive

  The professor said to never miss a homework assignment.

  An infinitive consists of the little word to followed by a verb. No modifier should ever be placed between the to and the verb. Correct a split infinitive error by moving the modifier to the front of the infinitive.

  The professor said never to miss a homework assignment.

• Disruptive modifiers

  Maureen was, because of her many years of experience, a highly-qualified candidate for the job.

  You've probably been told that varying your sentence structures makes your writing more interesting--and it does! Still, you should be careful not to achieve that variety at the expense of logical sentence structure. In this sentence, the modifying clause because of her many years of experience is plopped right down between the verb and the predicate noun, disrupting the logical flow of the sentence. To solve this misplaced modifier problem, reposition the modifier so that it does not disrupt the sentence.

  Because of her many years of experience, Maureen was a highly-qualified candidate for the job.

  To solve a misplaced modifier error, move the modifier to place it next to the word it modifies.