Misplaced Modifiers

A misplaced modifier incorrectly modifies a phrase in the sentence. Moving the subject or modifier around can clarify the sentence.

Example #1:

• Incorrect: Dressed in a lab coat, the medical students watched the doctor rush down the hall.
  • The action dressed in a lab coat, is incorrectly followed by medical students, rather than the doctor.
• Correct: The medical students watched the doctor, dressed in a lab coat, rush down the hall.
  • The action dressed in a lab coat, is next to the subject, the doctor, it modifies.

Example #2:

• Incorrect: Screaming at the neighbors, the officers arrested the woman.
  • This implies the officers were at the neighbors while arresting the woman.
• Correct: The officers arrested the woman screaming at the neighbors.