2. Modifiers
Modifiers can take the form of a word,
phrase, or clause, and should point clearly
toward the words they modify.
As a rule, modifiers and related words
should be kept close together in a
sentence. Proximity matters!
Misplaced and dangling modifiers often
result in comic miscommunications.
3. Limiting Modifiers
Limiting modifiers are words like only,
even, almost, nearly, rarely, and just.
Limiting modifiers should appear before
the verb only if they modify the verb; if
they modify the meaning of some other
word in the sentence, they should come
before that word.
4. Limiting Modifiers
The turtle only makes progress when it sticks its
neck out.
The turtle makes progress only when it sticks its
neck out.
Lasers only destroy the target, leaving the
surrounding tissue intact.
Lasers destroy only the target, leaving the
surrounding tissue intact.
5. Limiting Modifiers
“Not” is a limiting modifier that is commonly
misplaced.
In the United States in 1860, all black
southerners were not slaves.
In the United States in 1860, not all black
southerners were slaves.
The first sentence asserts that no black
southerners were slaves; the second asserts
that some, but not all, black southerners were
slaves.
6. Proximity Matters!
Put modifying phrases and clauses close
to what they modify, and move modifiers
that are awkward.
Sometimes a misplaced modifier can
result in a sentence that is ambiguous. In
that case, the author must decide which
meaning is intended and correct the
problem accordingly.
7. Proximity Matters!
Misplaced: The king returned to the clinic
where he had undergone heart surgery in
2000 in a limousine sent by the White
House.
Corrected: Traveling in a limousine sent
by the White House, the king returned to
the clinic where he had undergone heart
surgery in 2000.
8. Proximity Matters!
Ambiguous: The exchange students we met for
coffee occasionally questioned us about our
latest slang.
Clear: The exchange students we met
occasionally for coffee questioned us about our
latest slang.
Clear: The exchange students we met for coffee
questioned us occasionally about our latest
slang.
9. Proximity Matters!
Ambiguous: There are many pictures of
comedians who have performed at Gavin’s
on the walls.
Clear: On the walls are many pictures of
comedians who have performed at
Gavin’s.
10. Move Awkward Modifiers!
As a rule, sentences should move
smoothly from subject to verb to object.
Modifiers that interrupt this pattern should
be moved to reduce awkwardness.
11. Move Awkward Modifiers!
Awkward: Hong Kong, after more than 150
years of British rule, was transferred back to
Chinese control in 1997.
Clear: After more than 150 years of British rule,
Hong Kong was transferred back to Chinese
control in 1997.
Notice that the second sentence features a
smooth, uninterrupted transition from subject
(Hong Kong) to verb (was transferred).
12. Avoid Split Infinitives!
An infinitive consists of “to” plus a verb.
Examples: to run, to think, to dance, to
live
When a modifier appears between “to” and
the verb, it “splits” the infinitive; the result
is usually awkward, especially when the
modifier is long.
13. Avoid Split Infinitives!
Split: The patient should try to if possible
avoid going up and down stairs.
Correct: If possible, the patient should try
to avoid going up and down stairs.
Correct: The patient should try to avoid
going up and down stairs, if possible.
14. Avoid Split Infinitives!
Split: The candidate decided to formally
launch her campaign.
Correct: The candidate decided to launch
her campaign formally.
15. Repair Dangling Modifiers!
A dangling modifier fails to refer logically to
any word in the sentence.
Often, dangling modifiers suggest to what
they refer, but do not specifically name it.
When a sentence opens with such a
modifier, the reader expects that the
subject relates to the modifier. If it doesn’t,
the modifier dangles.
16. Repair Dangling Modifiers!
Dangling: Opening the window to let out a huge
bumblebee, the car accidentally swerved into an
oncoming car.
Correct: When the driver opened the window to
let out a huge bumblebee, the car accidentally
swerved into an oncoming car.
You can see that the first sentence omits the
agent. To correct the dangling modifier, insert
the agent.
17. Repair Dangling Modifiers!
Dangling: Deciding to join the navy, the
recruiter enthusiastically pumped Joe’s
hand.
Correct: When Joe decided to join the
Navy, the recruiter enthusiastically
pumped Joe’s hand.
The first sentence suggests that the
recruiter was joining the Navy, not Joe.
18. Repair Dangling Modifiers!
Dangling: Upon entering the doctor’s
office, a skeleton caught my attention.
Correct: As I entered the doctor’s office, a
skeleton caught my attention
The first sentence omits the agent, thus
leading the reader to believe that the
skeleton was entering the doctor’s office.
19. Repair Dangling Modifiers!
Dangling: Though only sixteen, UCLA
accepted Martha’s application.
Correct: Though Martha is only sixteen,
her application was accepted at UCLA.
The first sentence suggests that UCLA is
only sixteen.
20. Use Your Resources!
Consult the helpful chart on page 108 of
your grammar book to help diagnose
dangling modifiers!
Online exercises 12-1 through 12-4
address dangling and misplaced modifiers.
21. Distracting Shifts
Be consistent in point of view.
Whether choosing first, third, or third
omniscient (NEVER second in academic
essays), be consistent. That is, pick one
and go with it!
22. Distracting Shifts
Distracting Shifts: One week our class met in a
junkyard to practice rescuing a victim trapped in
a wrecked car. We learned to dismantle the car
with tools. You were graded on your speed and
skill.
Correct: One week our class met in a junkyard
to practice rescuing a victim trapped in a
wrecked car. We learned to dismantle the car
with tools. We were graded on our speed and
our skill.
23. Distracting Shifts
Second person (you) is acceptable only
when giving specific directions.
Example: Before assembling this Ikea end
table, you need to gather the appropriate
tools, clear your workspace, and prepare
yourself for four hours of frustration.
24. Distracting Shifts
Maintain consistent verb tense.
Pick one and go with it!
When writing about literature, ALWAYS write in
the present tense.
Example: In Ceremony, Tayo slowly comes to
discover that “witchery” is not only perpetrated
by whites, but also includes actions perpetrated
by those in his own culture.
25. Distracting Shifts
Use verbs that are consistent in mood and
voice.
Consult 13c in Rules for Writers to refresh
your understanding of mood and voice.
26. Distracting Shifts
Mood: The officers advised us against allowing
anyone into our homes without proper
identification. Also, alert neighbors to vacation
schedules.
Correct: The officers advised us against
allowing anyone into our homes without proper
identification. They also suggested that we alert
neighbors to vacation schedules.
The corrected sentence creates consistency in
the indicative mood.
27. Distracting Shifts
Voice: When the tickets are ready, the travel
agent notifies the client. Each ticket is then
listed on a daily register form and a copy of the
itinerary is filed.
Corrected: When the tickets are ready, the
travel agent notifies the client, lists each ticket
on a daily register form, and files a copy of the
itinerary.
The corrected passage is written consistently in
active voice.
28. Distracting Shifts
Avoid shifts from indirect to direct
questions.
See 13d in Rules for Writers to clarify
direct and indirect questions.
Shifting from an indirect to direct quotation
is common in some dialects and colloquial
speech. Be aware of this shift and
eliminate it from your academic writing.
29. Distracting Shifts
Indirect to Direct: I wonder whether the
sister knew of the theft and, if so, did she
report it to the police.
Corrected: I wonder whether the sister
knew of the theft and, if so, if she reported
it to the police.
Corrected: Did the sister know of the
theft? Did she report it to the police?