misplaced modifier
Wrongly attached descriptor
A misplaced modifier is a word or phrase positioned so it appears to modify the wrong part of a sentence.
In I saw a dog walking to work, the modifier "walking to work" seems to describe the dog rather than the speaker.
Careful writers place modifiers directly next to what they modify to avoid confusion or unintended humor.
- danglingSuspended and swaying freely
- squintingNarrowing eyes to see
- grammarLanguage's structural rules
- grammatical errorIncorrect language structure
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
participle · syntax · sentence structure · confusing · awkward · sentence · unclear · editing · copy editing · revision · red pen · phrase · clause · subject · antecedent · proximity · adverb · adjective
misplaced modifierdangling modifier
Phrase with unclear referent
split infinitive · dangling participle · run-on sentence · comma splice · sentence fragment
misplace, misplaced, misplacing, place, placed, placing, placement, placements, displace