Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers and why theyre not

Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers . . . and why they’re not cool

Misplaced modifiers • A modifier is misplaced if it seems to modify the wrong part of the sentence or if the reader can’t tell what part of the sentence the writer wanted to modify. – She served pizza to the men on paper plates. – BETTER: She served the men pizza on paper plates. – With his mullet flapping in the breeze, he barely drove his Camaro a mile. – BETTER: With his mullet flapping in the breeze, he drove his Camaro barely a mile.

Misplaced modifiers • The patient was referred to a psychologist with several emotional problems. – What the writer thinks it says: The patient has emotional problems. – What the sentence really says: The psychologist has emotional problems. – Correction: The patient with several emotional problems was referred to a psychologist.

Misplaced modifiers • Sam found a letter in the mailbox that doesn't belong to her. – What the writer thinks it says: Sam found a letter that doesn't belong to her. – What the sentence really says: The mailbox doesn't belong to Sam. – Correction: In the mailbox, Sam found a letter that doesn't belong to her.

Misplaced modifiers • Two cars were reported stolen by the Plymouth police yesterday. – What the writer thinks it says: The Plymouth police reported two stolen cars. – What the sentence really says: The police stole the two cars. – Correction: Yesterday, the Plymouth police reported two stolen cars.

Misplaced modifiers • A “Squinting” modifier may refer to a preceding or a following word. It’s unclear. • Snipers who fired on the soldiers often escaped capture. • BETTER: Snipers who often fired on the soldiers escaped capture. • BETTER: Snipers who fired on the soldiers escaped capture often.

Misplaced modifiers • According to Police records, many dogs are killed by automobiles that roam unleashed. • The mayor was able to cut the ribbon and then the band played when someone found scissors. • People who miss watching “The Walking Dead” regularly fail their English classes.

Dangling modifiers • A dangling modifier modifies nothing in the sentence. • NOT COOL: Running into the kitchen, the telephone rang. • BETTER: Running into the kitchen, Gary tried to get to the phone before it stopped ringing. • Passing the Camaro, the driver had a beautiful 10/90 mullet. • BETTER: Passing the Camaro, we admired the driver’s beautiful 10/90 mullet.

Dangling modifiers • While still at the clinic, the stitches were removed from Lennie’s skullet implant. • Driving west, the number of mullets we saw increased. • To keep people fresh on zombie apocalypse survival skills, a class called Survival of the Awesome-est was created. • Having manscaped thoroughly, my shorty longback mullet was ready for the ladies.