Misplaced Modifiers

Misplaced Modifiers

Descriptions in the wrong place

DescriptionWriting is like art…Description adds color and interest to

writing.

DescriptionDescription helps readers understand

what you’re saying. Adjectives & Adverbs help writers

describe.

Description

Adjective: scaly, wild, rainy

Adverb: quickly, suddenly , almost

Phrase: wearing a skirtClause: that was stolen yesterday

Description

Adjectives and adverbs modify, or shape, the meaning of words.

sofafluffy pink sofa

DescriptionSometimes modifying adjectives and adverbs are misplaced, which changes the meaning.

MISPLACED WORDS

Descriptive adjectives and adverbs in the wrong place

Misplaced Word - Incorrect Darren was so

thirsty he almost drank all the water in the cooler.

Notice how Darren almost makes it to the water, but he does not actually get to drink the water…He almost drinks, but does not actually drink.

Corrected SentenceDarren was so

thirsty he drank almost all the water in the cooler.

Now, Darren drinks almost all the water, which is what the sentence is supposed to say.

Misplaced Word - Incorrect Jane nearly kissed everyone at the

party.

They’re nearly kissing, but not really kissing!

Corrected SentenceJane kissed nearly everyone at the

party.

Now that’s kissing--not just nearly kissing!

Misplaced Word - Incorrect After my conversation lessons, I

could understand the Spanish spoken easily by the musicians from Mexico. We think speaking Spanish is easy!

Corrected SentenceAfter my conversation lessons, I could

easily understand the Spanish spoken by the musicians from Mexico. I’m so glad I took

those lessons or I would have no idea what these guys are saying!

MISPLACED PHRASESDescriptive phrases in the wrong place

Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect

The girl walked her dog in a ballet skirt.

I am going to shred this tu-tu the minute she looks away,

Corrected Sentence The girl in a ballet skirt walked her

dog.

This sweater looks stupid, but it’s better than that skirt!

My tu-tu smells like a dog!

Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect

Flat against the ironing board, my mother ironed the shirt.

Note how flat mom is!

Corrected SentenceMy mother ironed the shirt flat

against the ironing board.

Oh…the shirt is supposed

to be flat! (not mom…)

Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect

The father cheered at the television with his son.

Dad is watching the TV with his son on the screen.

Corrected SentenceThe father and son cheered at

the television screen.

Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect

Advertisers tried to make the product appealing to women with oversized diamonds.

What could be better than a woman with her own oversized diamonds???

Corrected SentenceAdvertisers used oversized

diamonds to make the product appealing to women.

Oversized diamonds… now that appeals to me!

Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect

The restaurant serves food to customers in take-out containers.

Corrected Sentence

The restaurant serves customers food in take-out containers.

I’m not getting into that noodle box, so forget it.

The patient was referred to a psychologist with a range of emotional problems.

Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect

I have a range of issues!

Dr. Ima Nutt, psychologist

Corrected SentenceThe patient with

a range of emotional problems was referred to a psychologist.

Where’s that psychologist???

Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect

Hanging on the rack all week, Dan forgot his new coat.

Look, there’s Dan!

Corrected SentenceDan forgot his new coat that was

hanging on the rack all week.

Look, there’s Dan’s coat!

Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect

Covered in poppies, Brian admired the green fields.

What a lovely green field!

Corrected Sentence Brian

admired the green fields covered in poppies.

This green, poppy covered field is lovely!

Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect

Lifting weights for an hour, my dog waited patiently for me to finish.

Should I use my paw or my mouth?

Corrected Sentence

While I finished lifting weights, my dog waited patiently for an hour.

She’s been sitting on that ball for an hour!

Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect

Wearing a silly dress at the county fair, my uncle thought I looked ridiculous.

Corrected Sentence

I was wearing a silly dress at the county fair, and my uncle thought I looked ridiculous.

-or- Wearing a silly dress at

the county fair, I looked ridiculous to my uncle.

Is this dress too much for the county fair??

Misplaced Phrase - Incorrect

We looked for someone to take care of our cow who does not smoke or drink.

Unlike those fools, I do not smoke or drink.

Corrected SentenceWe looked for someone who

does not smoke or drink to take care of our cow.

I’m sober and smoke-free!

Make sure your descriptions are placed properly!

End of presentation.