Having a misplaced modifier is a common problem in writing. It’s also a common question type on the ACT, so you need to know how to spot one.
A modifier is an adjective, adverb, or phrase acting as an adjective or adverb - in other words, a word or phrase that describes (or modifies) another word.
For example, if someone said, “I absolutely love your new brown puppy!” you’d probably respond, “Aw, thanks! Me too!” Now let’s look at the modifiers in that sentence:
That’s the basic idea. On the ACT, though, modifiers are usually more complex. Most of the time, the modifier will be a whole phrase rather than a single word.
The key rule is this: a modifying phrase needs to be placed close to the word it’s supposed to modify. When it isn’t, you get a misplaced modifier. Some misplaced modifiers are easy to miss because the sentence still “sounds” okay - but grammatically, the modifier ends up describing the wrong noun, which can create confusing or even funny meanings.
Let’s start with an extreme example.
The homeowner was referred to the plumber with broken pipes.
As written, the phrase “with broken pipes” is closest to “plumber,” so grammatically it describes the plumber. That would mean the plumber has broken pipes - which isn’t what the sentence intends.
The phrase is clearly meant to describe the homeowner. To fix the sentence, move the modifying phrase next to the word it should modify:
The homeowner with broken pipes was referred to the plumber.
Now “with broken pipes” correctly modifies “homeowner.”
Let’s look at a less obvious example.
Grant poured a hot cup of tea and relaxed with friends, exhausted after working all day.
This sentence may sound fine at first, but look closely at what the modifier is attached to.
As written, the phrase “exhausted after working all day” is closest to “friends,” so it describes the friends. But the meaning of the sentence makes it clear that Grant is the one who’s exhausted.
Fix it by moving the modifying phrase next to “Grant”:
Exhausted after working all day, Grant poured a hot cup of tea and relaxed with friends.
In the last two examples, the modifying phrase was at the end of the sentence but needed to be closer to the subject. This problem can also happen in the opposite direction.
Excited for his first paid gig, the crowd was electric as Xavier took the stage.
The modifying phrase “excited for his first paid gig” is closest to “crowd,” so grammatically it describes the crowd. But the pronoun “his” makes it clear the phrase is meant to describe Xavier.
To fix this, make Xavier the noun that immediately follows the modifying phrase:
Excited for his first paid gig, Xavier took the stage in front of the electric crowd.
So it doesn’t matter whether you move the modifying phrase closer to the noun it should modify or move the noun closer to the modifying phrase. The goal is the same: get the modifier right next to the word it describes, in the most concise way.
Question 1
I saw three turtles on the way to school.
A. NO CHANGE
B. I saw three on the way to school turtles.
C. On the way to school, I saw three turtles.
Answer: C. In the original, the modifying phrase “on the way to school” is placed next to “turtles,” so grammatically it describes the turtles. But the intended meaning is that you were on the way to school.
Choice C moves the phrase next to the subject (“I”), so the modifier clearly describes the narrator.
Question 2
Relieved that he hadn’t lost his job, the rest of Kiran’s problems didn’t seem to matter.
A. NO CHANGE
B. Relieved that he hadn’t lost his job, Kiran thought the rest of his problems
C. Relieved that he hadn’t lost his job, Kiran’s other problems
Answer: B. The modifying phrase “relieved that he hadn’t lost his job” clearly describes Kiran, so the next noun after the phrase should be “Kiran.”
Choice C is tempting because it includes his name, but “Kiran’s” is possessive, so it functions like an adjective. That makes “problems” the noun being modified - which still isn’t right. Only choice B places the noun “Kiran” immediately after the modifying phrase.
Now you know how to handle modifier questions the ACT may throw at you.
In addition to misplaced modifier questions, the ACT often tests the same idea using text placement questions. They’ll look something like this:
“The novel by the author’s vivid imagination, though captivating, is filled with complex characters and intricate plotlines crafted through meticulous attention to detail.”
The best placement for the underlined portion would be:
A. NO CHANGE
B. after the word “plotlines.”
C. after the word “crafted.”
D. after the word “characters.”
This is the same core question: where should this phrase go? Solve it the same way: identify what the phrase is supposed to modify.
What is “by the author’s vivid imagination”? A novel is written by an author, so A might seem plausible, but it’s awkward to describe a novel as being “by the author’s vivid imagination.” The phrase more naturally describes the creation of the characters and plotlines.
Answer: C. The phrase “by the author’s vivid imagination” best describes how these elements were “crafted.” It also fits smoothly with the next phrase, “through meticulous attention to detail.”
Either way these questions are asked, the principle is the same: find the word the underlined phrase is supposed to modify and make sure it’s next to that word.
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