A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is separated from the word it describes, creating confusion and ambiguity. For example, if you say purple women’s shoes, it sounds like the women are purple, not the shoes. In this case, purple is the misplaced modifier.
Also known as ambiguous modifiers or squinting modifiers, misplaced modifiers are a common mistake. In fact, they’re so common that we included them in our list of ten grammatical errors that make you look bad. Here, we’ll explain how to avoid and fix misplaced modifiers so you come across as intended whenever you communicate.
What is a misplaced modifier?
Let’s start with the basics: What are modifiers? Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that describe other words and phrases. Typically, modifiers are adjectives and adverbs, but they can also be prepositional phrases or even entire clauses.
Ideally, modifiers appear next to the word or phrase they describe, either directly before or after it. However, when a modifier is separated from the word it describes, it becomes unclear which word it’s supposed to modify. In grammar, that’s a misplaced modifier.
“One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don’t know.”—Groucho Marx
Misplaced modifiers are a major grammar mistake writers should avoid. For one thing, they make the meaning of a sentence unclear and hinder communication. Furthermore, misplaced modifiers can describe the wrong word or phrase, giving your reader the wrong impression and creating wild scenarios.
In the example above, the cat is tired after a long day at work! The adjectival phrase tired after a long day at work is next to the word cat, not Mei like it should be. The misplaced modifier is separated from the word it’s supposed to describe, so the meaning of the sentence is lost.
However, if we place the modifying phrase next to the word it describes, the sentence becomes correct.
Misplaced modifier vs. dangling modifier
Misplaced modifiers are closely related to another common grammar mistake, dangling modifiers. Like the name suggests, dangling modifiers are also incorrectly used modifiers. The main difference between misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers is whether the word they’re supposed to describe is in the sentence.
- Dangling modifiers describe a word or phrase that is not included in the sentence.
- Misplaced modifiers describe a word or phrase that is in the sentence, but in the wrong place.
Let’s look at some dangling modifier and misplaced modifier examples to clear things up. Here’s an example of a dangling modifier:
Now, let’s look at a similar misplaced modifier example:
With the dangling modifier, the word students isn’t in the sentence. With the misplaced modifier, the word it describes is there, but in the wrong place.
In both cases, you can fix the problem by placing the modifier next to the word or phrase it describes.
How to fix misplaced modifiers
To fix a misplaced modifier in your writing, you simply have to rearrange the words in a sentence. Remember, modifiers are supposed to appear next to the words they describe, so just move a misplaced modifier before or after the right word.
Adjective modifiers
Adverb modifiers
Phrase modifiers
Clause modifiers
Misplaced modifiers FAQ
What is a misplaced modifier?
A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is separated from the word it describes, creating confusion and ambiguity.
What’s the difference between a misplaced modifier and a dangling modifier?
Dangling modifiers describe a word or phrase that is not included in the sentence. Misplaced modifiers describe a word or phrase that is in the sentence, but in the wrong place.
How do you fix a misplaced modifier?
To fix a misplaced modifier, rearrange the words in a sentence. Modifiers should appear next to the words they describe.
