Modifiers are words that clarify and describe a portion of the sentence. Modifiers can either be single words or phrases. Incorrect modifiers in a sentence can confuse the meaning of the sentence and make readers question what the writer is trying to say. This usually happens when there are dangling and misplaced modifiers. Misplaced modifiers happen when the modifier is not in the correct place to properly describe. This will often add confusion to the sentence by having the modifier describe something else. Here are some examples of misplaced modifiers. Going crazy and running through the trees, the children enjoyed watching the monkeys. The misplaced modifier is the phrase, going crazy and running through the trees. Because the modifier is misplaced, a reader will read the sentence as thinking that the children are going crazy and running through the trees instead of the monkeys. A better way for this sentence to be worded is: The children enjoyed watching the monkeys going crazy and running through the trees.

Dangling modifiers are modifiers that are placed in the sentence but have no clearly modified word. Dangling modifiers cause problems because they confuse the reader of the sentence. An example of a sentence with a dangling modifier is this: Raised in South Dakota, it is natural to be used to the cold. The dangling modifier is raised in South Dakota. This sentence is very confusing because it is very unclear what is raised in South Dakota. Is this a person or an animal? A better way to word this sentence would be: Because she was raised in South Dakota she was used to the cold.

Whenever using modifiers in a sentence it is very important to make sure that the sentence makes sense. A writer should be sure to reread the sentence and make sure that the sentence can be easily read by someone who is unsure of what the writer is speaking about. Checking dangling and misplaced modifiers is an important part of editing and proofreading.