How to Identify Misplaced Modifiers

This month I’m discussing misplaced modifiers. Boring stuff, I know, but it can make for some comical—or embarrassing—reading.

I think everyone understands the definition of misplaced; however, modifiers might be a bit elusive.

Merriam-Webster Online Unabridged Dictionary gives this definition: “a word or phrase that makes specific the meaning of another word or phrase.”

Modifiers give more depth of meaning to a word that either precedes it or follows it. I think misplaced modifiers are often difficult to spot because 1) we know what we mean when we write it; 2) we tend to put things in the wrong order; and 3) we often speak them in a misplaced manner.

And sometimes it’s just downright hard to know where to put a phrase!

Let’s look at some examples from my WIP. I’ve purposely reworked these sentences to demonstrate my point.

Example 1:

When I pulled into the Fairview parking lot, a man gave me directions at the entrance to Father’s grave site.

The phrase in question is “at the entrance.” The natural inclination is to apply the phrase to what follows it—Father’s grave site. That could be and it makes sense, but when coupled with the opening phrase, “When I pulled into the Fairview parking lot,” a question presents itself. Could the phrase refer to the man?

As the writer, I know I’m referring to the location of the man. As an editor, I either make a judgment call and move it, or I leave a comment for the author to clarify what he/she meant.

Let’s look at that same sentence now written with the intended meaning.

Correct: When I pulled into the Fairview parking lot, a man at the entrance gave me directions to Father’s grave site.

Do you note the difference? There’s absolutely no doubt the phrase refers to the man and not to Father’s grave site.

Example 2:

When the 120 were filled with the Spirit in the upper room, they all started speaking in tongues.

Phrase in question is “in the upper room.” The comma immediately following the phrase rules out that the phrase refers to “they.” Since it follows “the Spirit,” the tendency is to think it refers to “the Spirit.” But that makes it sound as though the Spirit makes His home in the upper room, and that the 120 went there to get filled.

That could be exactly what the writer intended. Again, as the writer, I know it isn’t, but as an editor, I would doing the same thing as before. Making a judgment call or asking the author for clarification.

Let’s look at that same sentence now written with the intended meaning.

Correct: When the 120 in the upper room were filled with the Spirit, they all started speaking in tongues.

While you might have thought you understood the meaning when you read the other sentence, when you read this one, there is no doubt in meaning. The phrase refers to the location of the 120, not the location of the Spirit.

Spotting misplaced modifiers

They aren’t easy to find because we know what we mean when we write it. Here are some suggestions:

• I would encourage you to have your program read it out loud. MS Word and Scrivener both have that capability. Google docs also has this option. Here’s a tutorial.
• Beta readers can also let you know where your manuscript doesn’t make sense.
• Take a month’s break from your manuscript, then print it out, and read it. You’d be amazed at what you spot on paper that you don’t see on screen.

Misplaced modifiers aren’t always phrases. They could be a single word designed to modify a verb, noun, adjective, or adverb. Programs like Grammarly don’t always help, so don’t rely solely on them.

Have a question or still confused? Let me know in the comments.