The misplaced or dangling modifier problem

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The misplaced or dangling modifier problem
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Modifiers are words, phrases or clauses that add
to the meaning of your sentence

• Examples of modifiers
• One-word modifier
• Safeway suggested changes.
• Safeway suggested radical changes.
• A modifier phrase
• Safeway, the Chicago based insurance company,
  suggested changes.
• Safeway, the Chicago based insurance company,
  suggested changes in its health insurance policy.
• A modifier clause
• When the fiscal year ended with a deficit,
  Safeway suggested changes.

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Modifiers work best when they are closest to the
word they modify

• When the fiscal year ended with a deficit,
  Safeway, the Chicago based insurance company,
  suggested radical changes in its health insurance
  policy.
• In its health insurance policy, Safeway, the
  Chicago based insurance company, suggested
  radical changes when the fiscal year ended with a
  deficit.

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One-word modifiers (only, hardly almost
etc.) radically change meaning when they are moved

• COMPARE
• I paid almost 5,000 for the car repair.
• I almost paid 5,000 for the car repair.
• Only John wears a tuxedo in the office.
• John wears only a tuxedo in the office.
• John wears a tuxedo only in the office.
• John wears his only tuxedo in the office.

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When modifiers are misplaced, the sentence does
not communicate its intended meaning

• Ann walked the dog wearing high heels.
• Wearing high heals, Ann walked the dog.
• The man kept an eye on the toddler, sitting on a
  bench and smoking a cigar.
• Sitting on a bench and smoking a cigar, the man
  kept an eye on the toddler.

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Which modifier is placed correctly?

• Pregnant and tired looking, the old man gave his
  seat to the young woman.
• The old man gave his seat to the pregnant and
  tired looking young woman.
• Dressed in white satin, the father walked the
  bride down the aisle.
• The father walked the bride, who was dressed in
  white satin, down the aisle.
• Dressed in white satin, the bride was walked down
  the isle by her father.