This document provides guidance on properly placing modifiers in sentences to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity. It explains that modifiers such as adjectives, adverbs, and phrases should be placed near the words they modify. Using commas correctly is also important to delineate which words or phrases the modifier applies to. Examples are given demonstrating how misplaced modifiers can change the meaning of a sentence and how punctuation affects the intended meaning. The document recommends placing modifiers near the words they modify and using commas properly to convey the intended message in a sentence.

1. Where to Place Modifiers in a Sentence University of the Sacred Heart Department of Humanities Center for Language Development Across the Disciplines LAD

2. Objective To help the student write clear, precise sentences by placing modifiers correctly

3. Modifiers Modifying words and phrases are used to explain, expand, or clarify the meaning of a sentence If modifiers are not properly placed, the sentence might be confusing

4. Placing Modifiers Find the misplaced modifiers in the following sentences: Myrna distracted Jim when he was about to study with her friends for the test. James entered the room while I was watering the plants with a cup of tea.

5. Placing Modifiers Look at the correct position of the modifiers now. When Jim was about to study for the test . Myrna distracted him with her friends . James entered the room with a cup of tea while I was watering the plants.

6. In the first case, it is understood that Jim was going to study with Myrna’s friends Once the modifiers are placed correctly, it is understood that Myrna and her friends distracted Jim when he was about to study Placing Modifiers

7. In the second case, it is first understood that I was watering the plants with a cup of tea Once the modifiers are placed correctly, it is understood that James entered the room with a cup of tea Placing Modifiers

8. The Use of Commas With Modifiers Punctuation is also very important when placing modifiers. John, my brother sneaked out of the house last night. John, my brother, sneaked out of the house last night.

9. In the first example, it is understood that I am talking to someone called John, and telling him that my brother sneaked out last night In the second example, it is understood that John, who is my brother, sneaked out last night The Use of Commas With Modifiers

10. Remember To write clear sentences, place adjectives, adverbs, phrases, and other modifiers near the word or phrase being modified Use commas correctly to convey the message properly

11. For More Information Index English Grammar and Composition http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/index2.htm Tons of Fun with Grammar http://www.seasite.niu.edu/flin/103_handouts/sentences_and_phrases.htm Grammar Book Table of Contents http:// www.grammarbook.com/exercises/grammar/cnt_gram.html

12. Center for Language Development Across the Disciplines Prepared by: Thalia N. Nazario-Santiago English Mentor April-June 2003 Revised by: Patricia Kidd August 2004 Revised by: Prof. Delia Serrano January 2005