2. Modifiers
Modifiers are words, phrases and
clauses that tell about nouns and
verbs.
In 7th and 8th grades, we called
modifiers adjectives and adverbs
—remember?
3. Modifiers
As a general rule, modifiers need to go
right next to the word they’re
modifying.
Often, we move around modifiers to
make our sentences sound more
dramatic.
We often end up confusing the reader.
We wanted our ordeal to end
desperately.
4. LIMITING MODIFIERS
Modifiers that limit a word ( in time or
amount ) must go directly in front of
the word they modify. Limiting modifiers
include the follow:
ALMOST EVEN HARDLY
JUST MERELY
NEARLY
ONLY SCARCELY SIMPLY
5. LIMITING MODIFIERS
Notice how the meaning of the
sentence changes with the placement
of the modifier:
They just want her to sing this song.
They want just her to sing this song.
They want her just to sing this song.
They want her to sing just this song.
6. Fix the limiting modifiers by
moving them:
I almost ate the whole pie.
I ate almost the whole pie.
Rex just died with his boots on.
Rex died with just his boots on.
Even we didn’t score once.
We didn’t score even once.
7. SQUINTING MODIFIERS
Squinting modifiers seem to modify two
words at one time and can be confusing
(and sometimes humorous).
Students who follow directions consistently score
well on tests.
Are the students consistently following directions?
Are the students consistently scoring well on the tests?
8. SQUINTING MODIFIERS
To fix the squinter, simply move it next to
the word you want it to modify.
Students who consistently follow directions
score well on tests.
Students who follow directions score
consistently well on tests.
See the difference?
9. Fix the squinter by placing it
correctly:
Obese patients who take this medication
occasionally may notice a few side effects.
Which makes more sense?
Are the patients taking the medication only
occasionally?
Are the patients occasionally noticing side effects
from the medication?
FIXED: Obese patients who take this
medication may occasionally notice a few
side effects.
10. Fix the squinters by placing
them correctly:
Students who can type normally are put into
an advanced class.
Which makes more sense?
Students that type with their fingers (not toes,
hairbrushes or vacuum cleaners) are put in advance
classes.
Students that already know how to type are usually in an
advanced class.
FIXED: Students who can type are normally
put into an advanced class.
11. Fix the squinters by placing
them correctly:
The delegate who had seconded the
motion quickly left the room.
Which makes more sense?
The delegate seconded the motion with great
speed and haste.
The delegate left the room after seconding the
motion.
FIXED: The delegate who seconded
the motion left the room quickly.
12. Misplaced Modifiers:
Misplaced modifiers are often phrases
or clauses that are “out of place”.
Much like the limiting modifier and the
squinter, misplaced modifiers simply
need to be moved next to the word they
modify.
Quite often, a misplaced modifier is
unintentionally humorous.
13. Misplaced Modifiers:
I saw a flock of geese driving to Sioux City
yesterday.
When did the DOT allow geese drivers’ licenses?
FIXED: Driving to Sioux City yesterday, I saw a flock of
geese.
First-time offenders take part in discussions
about reckless driving with counselors.
So, the reckless driving offense only happens when
the counselors are in the car?
FIXED: First-time offenders take part in discussions with
counselors about reckless driving.
14. Fix the misplaced modifiers:
It was reported that the Italian premier had
died on the morning newscast.
Imagine—you’re drinking your morning coffee
and watching the news. The interviewer is
chatting with the Italian premier when all of a
sudden, the premier falls over dead. How
gruesome is that?
FIXED: It was reported on the morning
newscast that the Italian premier had died.
15. Fix the misplaced modifiers:
Sue is part owner of a company that makes
clothing for women based in Dallas.
Sue isn’t going to stay in business very long if
she’s making clothes only for women that live in
Dallas.
FIXED: Sue is part owner of a company
based in Dallas that makes clothing for
women.
