What Is a Misplaced Modifier? (With Examples)
Understanding common grammar errors and how to fix them is a key part of working as a proofreader. In this post, we explain what misplaced modifiers are, how to spot the most common types, and how you can correct them in any piece of writing.
What Is a Misplaced Modifier?
Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that describe another part of a sentence. A misplaced modifier is just that – a modifier that’s in the wrong place. It’s too far away or separated from the thing it’s meant to be describing. Consequently, the modifier can be misread as referring to something else.
Take a look at this example:
The dog paid no attention to his owner because he was chewing on a bone.
We can assume this sentence is meant to convey that the dog is the one chewing on a bone. But the modifying phrase (while he was chewing on a bone) is too far away from the dog, which is the intended subject. Instead, it’s closer to his owner.
Because the modifier is misplaced, the sentence instead implies that the owner is the one enjoying a meaty snack.
To fix this, we just need to move that descriptive information so it clearly relates to the correct subject:
Because he was chewing on a bone, the dog paid no attention to his owner.
Here’s another canine-related example:
Robert passed a biscuit to the dog while he was driving.
Either that’s a talented dog or that modifier is misplaced! Here are two ways we can fix this:
While he was driving, Robert passed a biscuit to the dog.
Robert, while he was driving, passed a biscuit to the dog.
To avoid confusion and potential embarrassment, you should keep an eye out for any misplaced modifiers while you’re proofreading, making sure that the description and the thing being described are suitably connected.
Now, let’s take a look at a couple of common scenarios for misplaced modifiers.
Misplaced Modifiers with Adverbs
Adverbs such as “just,” “only,” and “nearly” are some of the most common offenders when it comes to misplaced modifiers. Sometimes, the placement of these words can completely change the meaning of the sentence.
Take a look at this example:
Only visitors wearing name tags will be granted access.
This sentence tells us that access is granted if the visitor is wearing a name tag. That seems reasonable enough. But that meaning changes if we move the modifying adverb:
Visitors wearing only name tags will be granted access.
Now the sentence gives the impression that visitors will be granted access if they’re wearing name tags and nothing else! While each of these sentences is technically correct, only one carries the meaning (we assume) the author intended to convey.
Here are some examples of various adverbs in confusing and appropriate positions:
| ✘ Misplaced ✘ | ✔ Corrected ✔ |
| This week, I just went to the gym once. | This week, I went to the gym just once. |
| Alex almost answered all the questions correctly. | Alex answered almost all the questions correctly. |
| We nearly ran the whole way home. | We ran nearly the whole way home. |
| Sam only eats chocolate on Sundays. | Sam eats chocolate only on Sundays. |
The last one could be correct both ways, but only eating chocolate for a whole day would make for a rather sickly Sunday!
In each case, the sentence can be interpreted correctly if the adverb is placed closer to the word it modifies.
Misplaced Modifiers with Dates and Locations
Another common area for misplaced modifiers is when the sentence includes when or where something occurred. If the information isn’t placed in the correct order, it can create strange limitations to the event.
This example shows what we mean:
Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic in 1932.
Because the year comes at the end of the sentence, this could be read as meaning Amelia Earhart was the first woman in that year – potentially, with others before her in preceding years! To correct this, then, the year would be best placed at the start of the sentence so that it frames the entire event:
In 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic.
Here’s another example of how information can be presented in a slightly clunky order:
The protesters walked in procession through the streets with placards.
Since the people have the placards, not the streets, this could be phrased a little more smoothly for clarity. Since there are multiple pieces of information involved, changing the wording will be more effective than simply rearranging:
The protesters walked in procession through the streets, carrying placards.
Carrying placards, the protesters walked in procession through the streets.
The protesters carried placards and walked in procession through the streets.
Each of these rewordings makes the action clear, but a proofreader may need to leave a comment for the client to make sure they’re happy with the rephrased sentence.
How to Correct Misplaced Modifiers
Unlike dangling modifiers, a sentence that includes a misplaced modifier already provides all the necessary information – it’s just in the wrong order. This means that when a misplaced modifier causes confusion, it’s usually easy to fix.
The solution is usually to move the modifier to its correct place in the sentence, often either immediately before or after the intended subject:
| ✘ Misplaced ✘ | ✔ Corrected ✔ |
| She arrived at the office covered in mud. | Covered in mud, she arrived at the office. |
| I sat on a bench in the park made of local stone. | I sat on a bench made of local stone in the park. |
| We discussed how to safely fill the boxes with the team. | We discussed with the team how to safely fill the boxes. |
| He watches movies with his friends that have subtitles. | He watches movies that have subtitles with his friends. |
With just a little nudge, the writer’s meaning is clarified, and you win more proofreading points!
Ambiguous Modifiers
In some sentences, however, the modifying phrase could modify either the clause immediately before or immediately after it:
The crew decided after the storm they would repair the ship. ✘
Does this sentence mean that the decision happened after the storm or that the repairs should wait until the storm has passed?
To fix this sort of ambiguous modifier (sometimes referred to as a “squinting modifier”), either move the modifier closer to the clause you think it should be describing or insert the word “that” to clarify the sentence:
After the storm, the crew decided they would repair the ship. ✔
The crew decided after the storm that they would repair the ship. ✔
Now it’s clear that the crew made their decision after the storm. This change successfully removes the ambiguity, but, when proofreading, you would leave a comment for the client to ensure they agree.
Remember, if you’re presented with a misplaced modifier but you’re not sure which of the two possible interpretations the author intended, you should make the text correct and also ask for clarification.
Intentional Misplaced Modifiers
In some rare cases, a writer might intentionally craft a misplaced modifier to lead the reader down the wrong path or simply to elicit a giggle!
Here’s one that we came up with:
Aged, veined, and slightly smelly, Kevin brought out the stilton for his guests.
As a proofreader, you won’t see this sort of thing in many types of writing! But if you think the modifier is misplaced for comedic effect, make sure you don’t spoil the joke.
Becoming A Proofreader
Are you itching to learn more about proofreading grammar? Our Becoming A Proofreader course features a whole module dedicated to common grammar mistakes, including misplaced modifiers and so much more. You can even sample two free lessons from the course to see if it’s for you before you sign up!
Updated on April 29, 2025
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