MODIFIERS

1
MODIFIERS
What is a modifier?
Modifiers are words, phrases or clauses that
modify, describe or give additional information
about another part of your sentence.
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MODIFIERS
PLACING LIMITING MODIFIERS
These modifiers change the meaning of the
sentence depending on where they are placed.
EXAMPLE Only scientists say the space program is
important. EXAMPLE Scientists only say the space
program is important. EXAMPLE Scientists say
only the space program is important.
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MODIFIERS
PLACING LIMITING MODIFIERS
EXAMPLE Just the manuscript was discovered by
archaeologists. EXAMPLE The manuscript was just
discovered by archaeologists. EXAMPLE The
manuscript was discovered by just archaeologists.
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MODIFIERS
SQUINTING MODIFIERS
These modifiers create difficulties because they
can modify what precedes them or what follows
them.
EXAMPLE The football player being recruit
eagerly believed each successive offer would be
better. EXAMPLE Snipers who fired on the
soldiers often escaped capture. EXAMPLE The work
that he hoped would satisfy him completely
frustrated him.
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MODIFIERS
DANGLING MODIFIERS
These modifiers are either misplaced in the
sentence or modifying what is implied but not
actually stated in the sentence.
EXAMPLE I saw a dollar walking down the
street. EXAMPLE Walking across the park, the
cathedrals spire came into view. EXAMPLE After
studying for the LSAT, Jasons social life needed
a lift.
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MODIFIERS
SPLIT INFINITIVES
These modifiers are found between the to and
the verb of an infinitive.
EXAMPLE The herb sweet basil was thought to, in
medieval Europe, have medicinal
properties. EXAMPLE Orson Welles wanted to
realistically portray a Martian invasion in his
radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds.