{"id":374,"date":"2015-04-21T00:53:44","date_gmt":"2015-04-21T04:53:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/writingforpublicrelations\/chapter\/2-7-misplaced-and-dangling-modifiers\/"},"modified":"2021-01-13T12:19:12","modified_gmt":"2021-01-13T17:19:12","slug":"2-7-misplaced-and-dangling-modifiers","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/writingforpublicrelations\/chapter\/2-7-misplaced-and-dangling-modifiers\/","title":{"raw":"2.7 Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers","rendered":"2.7 Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers"},"content":{"raw":"
\r\n

Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. Identify modifiers.<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Learn how to correct misplaced and dangling modifiers.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

    A modifier<\/a><\/span> is a word, phrase, or clause that clarifies or describes another word, phrase, or clause. Sometimes writers use modifiers incorrectly, leading to strange and unintentionally humorous sentences. The two common types of modifier errors are called misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers. If either of these errors occurs, readers can no longer read smoothly. Instead, they become stumped trying to figure out what<\/em> the writer meant to say. A writer\u2019s goal must always be to communicate clearly and to avoid distracting the reader with strange sentences or awkward sentence constructions. The good news is that these errors can be easily overcome.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

    \r\n

    Misplaced Modifiers<\/h2>\r\n

    A misplaced modifier<\/a><\/span> is a modifier that is placed too far from the word or words it modifies. Misplaced modifiers make the sentence awkward and sometimes unintentionally humorous.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

    \r\n

    Incorrect:<\/strong> She wore a bicycle helmet on her head that was too large<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n

    Correct:<\/strong> She wore a bicycle helmet that was too large<\/em> on her head.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n