Modifiers 1
Video (from Youtube): Misplaced and dangling modifiers by tamuwritingcenter (new tab). (Watching time: 5m:08secs)
Adding interesting information
Using words like almost, hardly, even, just, and really.
Modifiers are words or phrases that add additional information to a sentence.
Placing modifiers
They must be placed correctly otherwise they create ambiguity (double meaning) and confusion. In their simple form they are words like almost, hardly, even, just, really, but they can also be whole dependent clauses (generally conveying less-essential information) (see lesson on Relative clauses).
The guests almost fell into the pool with all their clothes on.
After reading the initial study, even we found the argument unconvincing.
Precision placement for a clear meaning
Placing the same word in different places in the sentence can change (modify) the meaning of the sentence.
Modifier placement changes the meaning or emphasis of the sentence:
Modifiers must point clearly to the thing they are modifying. Note in the examples below how there are several options for modifier placement and how each changes the meaning slightly, or sometimes makes the sentence illogical.
The guests almost fell into the pool with all their clothes on.
The guests fell into the pool with almost all their clothes on.
* The guests fell into the pool with all their clothes almost on. * (Note: Asterisks signal examples of poor constructions.)
Here are some more examples:
After reading the initial study, even we found the argument unconvincing.
After reading the initial study, we even found the argument unconvincing.
After reading the initial study, we found even the argument unconvincing.
You only ever intend one meaning, so make sure that your meaning is not compromised by poor placement of your modifiers.
Squinting modifiers
When careless placement of a modifier leaves the reader wondering which part of the sentence is being modified.
Squinting modifiers:
A squinting modifier is one that can ambiguously apply to the thing either before or after it.
* The wage offer that the government thought would satisfy them completely angered the unions. * (Note: Asterisks signal examples of poor constructions.)
Instructions: Hover or tap the questions below to see the reason for the answers given in the quiz.
1. I want to win lotto to be independent.
Add the word "only" to convey that there is one reason for wanting to win.
I want to win lotto only to be independent ✔
Why: The position of the modifier should be adjacent to the element that it is modifying, and in this sentence the reason is "to be independent". Another option: I want to win lotto to be independent only. ✔
2. We almost made a profit of $10.
Excerpt from Misplaced Modifiers: Lost and found (opens in new window)
Yes or no: Did they actually make a profit?
No ✔
Why: The writer reports that they 'almost made a profit', which means they did not actually make one. The writer probably intended us to think they made a small profit (of $10), so he or she should have written: We made a profit of almost $10.
3. * The rockets that accelerated quickly burned through their fuel. *
What modifier mistake does this sentence contain?
squinting modifier. ✔
Why: The placement of the modifier, without the benefit of additional punctuation, leaves the reader wondering if the sentence intends to say "accelerated quickly" or "quickly burned".
4. I even saw a platypus
What meaning does the placement of the word 'even' convey in this sentence?
My experience was complete to the extent that I was able to see a platypus ✔
Why: The placement of the word 'even' directly before the verb "see" indicates that this is the word that it is modifying. The word "even" is often used to add an underlying element of surprise to the meaning.