Page 811 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing
P. 811
the griddle is misplaced to modify family instead of pancakes. To fix a
misplaced modifier, remember this principle: A modifier should be
placed as close as possible to the word it modifies.
The family enjoyed pancakes hot off the griddle.
Examples of Misplaced Modifiers
The dog was examined by a veterinarian that had just had a litter
of puppies.
The sentence seems to suggest that the veterinarian had given birth
to puppies. Putting the modifier “that had just had a litter of puppies”
closer to the word it modifies makes the meaning clear.
The dog that had just had a litter of puppies was examined by
the veterinarian.
Reconstructing the sentence is also a possibility.
The veterinarian examined the dog that had just had a litter of
puppies.
Pregnant and tired-looking, the old man gave his seat to the
young woman.
It sounds as though the old man has defied the laws of nature.
