English Support Skills
A misplaced modifier isn't any better
A close relative of the dangling modifier is the misplaced modifier. It is a phrase, clause or word that is placed too far from the word or words it modifies. To modify a word means to give more information about it.
Here are some examples:
- The wicked fairy put a spell on Beauty because she was not invited to the party. (Who was invited to the party?)
- Beauty pricked her finger on a spindle in the attic which was very sharp and put her to sleep for 124 years. (How many sharp attics have you been in lately?)
- After 124 years a prince cut through the briars around the castle and kissed Beauty with his sword which woke her up. (An interesting way of kissing.)
Misplaced Modifiers can be corrected by putting the modifier as close as possible to the word or phrase it is describing.
Here are some examples:
- Because the wicked fairy was not invited to the party, she put a spell on Beauty.
- Beauty pricked her finger on a sharp spindle in the attic, and this put her to sleep for 124 years.
- After 124 years, a prince cut through the briars around the castle with his sword and kissed Beauty, which woke her up.