English Language Arts: Misplaced Modifiers

What is a Misplaced Modifier?
A word, phrase or clause improperly separated from the word it modifies (describes).

How do you fix a Misplaced Modifier?
Move the word or phrase closer to the word it modifies.

4 Types of Misplaced Modifiers?
1. Misplaced adjective

2. Misplaced adverb

3. Misplaced phrases

4. Misplaced clauses

Example of a Misplaced adjective:
Wrong: On her way home, Jan found a gold man's watch.
Right: On her way home, Jan found a man's gold watch.

Example of a Misplaced adverb:
Wrong: We ate the lunch that we had brought slowly.
Right: We slowly ate the lunch that we had brought.

Example of a Misplaced Phrase:
Wrong: Three bankers talked quietly in the corner smoking pipes.
Right: Three bankers smoking pipes talked quietly in the corner.

Example of a Misplaced Clause:
Wrong: I got a watch for my graduation that has a solar clock.
Right: I got a watch that has a solar clock for my graduation.

Fixing Misplaced Modifiers:

1. Reading a book, my cat crawled into my lap.
While I read a book, my cat crawled into my lap.

2. While reading the newspaper, the cat jumped on the table.
While I read the newspaper, the cat jumped on the table.

3. The dog was chasing the boy with the spiked collar.
The dog with the spiked collar was chasing the boy.

4. The woman walked the dog in purple suede cowboy boots
The woman, wearing purple suede cowboy boots, walked the dog.

5. We saw dinosaurs on a field trip to the Museum of Natural History.
While on a field trip to the Museum of Natural History, we saw replicas of dinosaurs.

6. We saw several monkeys on vacation in Mexico.
While on vacation in Mexico, we saw several monkeys.

7. The library has several books about dinosaurs in our school
Our school library has many books about dinosaurs.

8. I glimpsed a rat sorting the recycling materials.
While sorting the recycling materials, I glimpsed a rat.

9. While doing the dishes, a mouse ran across the floor.
A mouse ran across the floor as I did the dishes.

11. We saw several blue jays looking out our front window.
Looking out our front window, we saw several blue jays.

12. While camping, I saw a bear in my pajamas.
While I was camping in my pajamas, I saw a bear.

13. Having been thrown in the air, the dog caught the stick.
Having thrown a stick in the air, the dog caught it.

14. We sat on the front porch and listened to the birds sing while playing checkers.
While playing checkers on the front porch, we listened to the birds sing.

15. We found the flowers hiking up the mountain.
While hiking up the mountain, we found the flowers.

16. He wore a straw hat on his head, which was obviously too small.
On his head, he wore a straw hat that was obviously too small.

17. Coming out of the market, the bananas fell on the pavement.
As I came out of the market, the bananas fell out of my basket and onto the pavement.

18. Covered with hot, melting cheese I ate the pizza.
I ate the pizza that was covered with hot, melting cheese.

19. The police chased the bear in the squad car.
In the squad car, the police chased the bear.

20. Riding a bike, a fly flew into my mouth.
While I was riding a bike, a fly flew into my mouth.

21. I saw a squirrel taking a picture in the park.
While taking a picture, I saw a squirrel in the park.

22. Near the lake, I saw a bear riding a jet ski.
While riding a jet ski, I saw a bear by the lake.