L09NADLSS12_101-104 2/29/08 5:16 PM Page 101

NAME CLASS DATE

for CHAPTER 10: PLACEMENT OF MODIFIERS pages 250=51

Placement of Modifiers A
Misplaced Modifiers
10a. Avoid using misplaced modifiers.
A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that seems to modify the wrong word or
word group in a sentence. To avoid misplaced modifiers, place a modifier as close as possible
to the word or word group it modifies.
MISPLACED WORD Melting, the trees were covered with icicles. [Are the trees melting?]
CLEAR The trees were covered with melting icicles. [Melting modifies icicles, so it
has been placed close to the word it modifies.]
MISPLACED PHRASE Janell finished the report that Ms. Brooks assigned during her vacation. [Did
Ms. Brooks assign the report while on vacation? The phrase during her
vacation is too far from the verb it modifies, finished.]
CLEAR During her vacation, Janell finished the report that Ms. Brooks assigned.
[This placement shows that Janell finished the report while she was on
vacation.]
MISPLACED CLAUSE James needed a break, who had been studying for an exam. [Had the break
been studying for an exam? The clause who had been studying for an exam
is too far from the noun it modifies, James.]
CLEAR James, who had been studying for an exam, needed a break. [This
placement shows that James had been studying, not the break.]

EXERCISE A The underlined word or word group in each of the following sentences is misplaced. Draw
an arrow to show where the underlined modifier should go in the sentence.

Examples 1. Determined, the steep trail did not bother the climbers. [The climbers were
determined, not the trail. Determined should be placed closer to the word it modifies,
Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

climbers.]

2. This old trunk belonged to my great-grandfather, which was full of books and
papers. [The trunk was full of books and papers, not the great-grandfather. The clause

should be placed closer to the word it modifies, trunk.]

1. Delighted, the fireworks surprised the children. [Were the fireworks delighted?]
2. I found the book in my room that was due yesterday. [Was the room due yesterday?]
3. The bicycle is in the shed with a flat tire.
4. Escaping, the boy tried to grab the tail of the kite.
5. Karens soccer team is ranked second in the state; her team has nearly won all of its games.
6. Ringing, I ran for the phone.
7. The canoe slid through the water, built by hand.

Developmental Language Skills 101

L09NADLSS12_101-104 2/29/08 5:16 PM Page 102

NAME CLASS DATE

for CHAPTER 10: PLACEMENT OF MODIFIERS pages 250=51 continued

8. We finished reading a short story written by Mark Twain during study hall.
9. Hundreds of pumpkins lay in the fields, which were almost ripe.
10. The supervisor complimented the carpenters for working so quickly as he handed out their
paychecks.

Squinting Modifiers
10b. Avoid misplacing a modifying word, phrase, or clause so that it seems to modify either of two
words.

This kind of misplaced modifier is often called a squinting, or two-way, modifier.

SQUINTING My father promised on Saturday we would go fishing. [Did the father make
the promise on Saturday, or do they plan to go fishing on Saturday?]
CLEAR On Saturday, my father promised we would go fishing. [This placement
clarifies that the father made the promise on Saturday.]
CLEAR My father promised we would go fishing on Saturday. [This placement
clarifies that they plan to go fishing on Saturday.]
SQUINTING Annie reminded me at 6:00 P.M. we have a rehearsal. [Did Annie say that at
6:00 P.M., or will the rehearsal take place at 6:00 P.M.?]
CLEAR At 6:00 P.M., Annie reminded me we have a rehearsal. [This placement
clarifies that Annie spoke at 6:00 P.M.]
CLEAR Annie reminded me we have a rehearsal at 6:00 P.M. [This placement
clarifies that the rehearsal is at 6:00 P.M.]

EXERCISE B Decide whether the underlined modifier in each of the following sentences is clear or
squinting. If the modifier is clear and correct, write C for clear on the line provided. If the modifier is

Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

squinting, write S for squinting on the line provided.

Example S 1. The weather reporter said shortly after five oclock severe weather is expect-
ed. [The underlined modifier is squinting. Did the weather reporter speak short-

ly after five oclock, or is the severe weather expected shortly after five oclock?]

11. The article in the school newspaper said on March 20th representatives from local
colleges will be on campus. [Did the newspaper print the article on March 20th, or will

representatives be on campus on March 20th?]

12. Barbara claimed she was not discouraged when she saw the test scores.
13. Mark remembered after dinner he was supposed to wash the dishes.
14. Mr. Fields said after the mixture changed colors we should turn off the Bunsen burner.
15. Before the whistle blew, the coach said too many players were on the field.

102 HOLT HANDBOOK Sixth Course