McGraw-Hill Handbook of English Grammar and Usage by Mark Lester

Author:Mark Lester
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
Published: 2013-08-18T16:00:00+00:00

Summary

Misplaced and squinting modifiers are difficult problems for all of us because we know what we meant. It is really hard to train our eyes to see not just what we meant but what we actually said.

Misplaced modifiers are modifiers put in the wrong place so they modify something we do not intend for them to modify. The most likely culprits are the adverb qualifiers almost, just, nearly, and only because they can modify both verbs (as we would expect) and also noun phrases. Other common misplaced modifiers are adverb prepositional phrases at the end of sentences that can be interpreted as modifying the nearest verb rather than the more remote intended verb.

Squinting modifiers are modifiers that are used at the boundary of two clauses or phrases. The result is that the reader cannot tell which clause or phrase the modifier should go with.

The only real defense against misplaced and squinting modifiers is to be aware of the kinds of modifiers that are likely to be misused and the places that modifier mistakes are most likely to occur. Forewarned is forearmed.

Even the most experienced writers never outgrow the need to consciously check high-risk modifiers and places for unintended meanings.

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