Grammar Entry 253 / 1011 60-second read

Misplaced Modifier

A descriptive word or phrase that's placed too far from the word it describes.

The comparisoni

✗ Wrong

I only saw the movie once. She bought a vase for the table with red flowers.

✓ Correct

I saw the movie only once. She bought a vase with red flowers for the table.

The ruleii

MISPLACED MODIFIER = placed away from the word it modifies.

Modifiers naturally attach to the closest noun, creating wrong meanings.

Memory aidiii

Remember it like this

Put the modifier next to the word it describes.

You might also like 6 related
↑↓Navigate Open EscClose All results →