9.3 Modifiers

Notes

A modifier describes something. It must be placed near the word it modifies, and that word must appear in the sentence.

• Misplaced modifier: "She nearly drove her kids to school every day" suggests she almost did it. Fix: "She drove her kids to school almost every day."
• Dangling modifier: the word it modifies is missing. "Running for the bus, my bag fell open." (The bag was not running.) Fix: "Running for the bus, I let my bag fall open."
• Place only, almost and just right before the word they modify.
• A participial phrase that opens a sentence modifies the subject that follows.
• Worked example: "Covered in dust, the librarian found the old book." Fix: "The librarian found the old book, covered in dust."