400 Word discussion for speech and writing for business communication

A modifier is one or more words that describe other words. Two common errors involving these descriptive words are misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers.

Misplaced Modifiers

When a modifier is in the wrong place, the reader may not know just what it is meant to describe. Misplaced modifiers can lead to misunderstandings—some of which are unintentionally humorous.

To correct a misplaced modifier, place it as close as possible to what it is describing, so that its meaning will be clearly understood. Misplaced modifier: The Bensons watched the parade of high school bands sitting in chairs on their

lawn. (It sounds as if the high school bands were sitting in chairs, rather than the Bensons.)

Corrected version: Sitting in chairs on their lawn, the Bensons watched the parade of high school bands.

Misplaced modifier: Please take this book to Mrs. Bey’s house which she lent to me. (Did Mrs. Bey lend her house to the speaker?) Corrected version: Please take this book, which Mrs. Bey lent to me, to her house. Misplaced modifier: The holdup man ran into the bank carrying a gun. (The bank was carrying a gun?) Corrected version: The holdup man, carrying a gun, ran into the bank. Practice 1 Below, the misplaced modifier is underlined in each sentence. Then the sentence is rewritten placing the modifier where it needs to go to made the meaning clear.

1. The young man gave his driver’s license to the officer with shaking hands. With shaking hands, the young man gave his driver’s license to the officer.

2. We were surprised to hear a siren driving down the country road.

Driving down the country road, we were surprised to hear a siren.

3. Gina got badly sunburned after spending a day at the beach on her face and back Gina got badly sunburned on her face and back after spending a day at the beach.

4. The registrar will post the schedule for final exams on the Web site.

The registrar will post on the Web site the schedule for final exams.

5. Stan bought a sports car from a fast-talking salesman with wire wheels. Stan bought a sports car with wire wheels from a fast-talking salesman.