A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that adds detail or description to a sentence. A modifier must be placed next to the word that it describes. If not, three types of errors can occur.
Misplaced modifier: A word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word that it describes. Sentences with misplaced modifiers are awkward, confusing, or downright illogical.
Type of modifier |
Example |
Problem |
Misplaced word |
The report displays only data for the sites that users visit during the report interval. |
Does only modify displays or data? |
Misplaced phrase |
The system creates the address for the user with a name. |
Does with a name refer to the user or the address? |
Misplaced clause |
The snapshot is a short-term copy of the running system that is created before a major upgrade or a patch installation. |
Does that is created before a major upgrade or a patch installation refer to the running system or the snapshot? |
Note:
Other single words that are most often misplaced include: almost, even, exactly, hardly, just, nearly, only, simply.
Dangling modifier: A modifier that has nothing to modify due to its placement, or a modifier that modifies a noun that it was not intended to modify.
A dangling modifier can appear at the beginning of a sentence or at the end.
Location of the modifier |
Example |
Problem |
At the beginning |
While traveling, the device might try to connect to another network. |
Does While traveling refer to the device? |
At the end |
The existing setup will need the administrator password while performing the tasks. |
Does while performing the tasks refer to the existing setup? |
Squinting modifier: A modifier so placed that it describes two situations.
Modifier |
Example |
Problem |
only |
The Handoff to Cellular Network feature is available on the client application only in the following conditions. |
Does only refer to client application or the following conditions? |
The improper use of modifiers can lead to sentences that are redundant and ambiguous. This section includes rules for the following parts of speech as modifiers:
