Modifier Placement
A modifier describes the word closest to it. Put it next to the word it describes.
The rules
- An opening phrase is followed by the noun it describes: "Walking to school, Maya saw a fox" (Maya was walking).
- A dangling modifier has nothing sensible to describe: "Walking to school, the fox was seen."
- Words like only, almost and just go right before the word they limit.
- Move the modifier, or rewrite the sentence, so the doer is named right after the opening phrase.
Watch out: Letting the nearest noun win. Ask who or what is doing the action in the opening phrase.
Worked example
Running late, the bus left without Dan. What is wrong, and how do you fix it?
- Who was running late?
- The opening phrase must be followed by Dan.
- Rewrite so Dan comes right after the comma.
Answer: The bus was not running late, Dan was. Write "Running late, Dan missed the bus."
Try it yourself
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