Misplaced Modifiers — Definition, Examples & How to Fix Them

A misplaced modifier might seem like a small grammar slip, but it can completely change your sentence’s meaning—sometimes in hilarious or confusing ways. For example, “She served sandwiches to the children on paper plates.“
Who’s on paper plates—the children or the sandwiches?

This kind of mix-up happens when a modifier (a word, phrase, or clause that adds detail) is placed too far from the word it describes. The result is unclear or unintended meaning.

Correcting misplaced modifiers is one of the simplest ways to make your writing clear and professional. Let’s look at how they work, what causes the confusion, and how to fix them confidently.

What Is a Misplaced Modifier?

A misplaced modifier is a descriptive word, phrase, or clause positioned away from the word it’s meant to modify. Because of its distance, readers may misunderstand what the sentence is saying.

Look at this example:

❌ The student almost finished all her homework.
✅ The student finished almost all her homework.

In the incorrect sentence, almost modifies finished, suggesting she didn’t finish anything. The corrected version moves almost next to all her homework, making the meaning clear—she completed most, but not all, of it.

Misplaced modifiers are different from dangling modifiers, which have no clear target at all. A misplaced modifier still has something to describe, but it’s sitting in the wrong place.

Modifiers can appear as single words (only, just, almost), as phrases (with great care), or as clauses (who arrived late). The mistake happens when any of these are too far from the idea they modify.

How Misplaced Modifiers Happen

Misplaced modifiers often appear when sentences grow longer or when extra details are added after the first draft. In English, word order carries meaning, so even a small shift can change what the reader understands.

There are three main reasons misplaced modifiers appear: unclear placement, overuse of adverbs, and long modifying phrases.

1. Unclear Placement

When a modifier isn’t placed next to the word it describes, the sentence can sound illogical. For example:

❌ The teacher handed out worksheets to the students printed on colored paper.
✅ The teacher handed out worksheets printed on colored paper to the students.

In the first version, it sounds like the students were printed on colored paper. The corrected version moves the modifier printed on colored paper next to worksheets, which it actually describes.

2. Overuse of Adverbs

Short adverbs like only, almost, nearly, and just are easy to misplace. Moving them even one word can change meaning completely. For example:

❌ She only told the manager she was late.
✅ She told only the manager she was late.

The first sentence means she did nothing but tell the manager. While the second means she told no one else (a subtle but important difference).

3. Long Modifying Phrases

Long phrases or clauses tend to drift from their target words, especially when writers try to vary sentence structure. For example:

❌ The committee discussed the proposal in the meeting prepared by the consultants.
✅ In the meeting, the committee discussed the proposal prepared by the consultants.

Here, the phrase in the meeting belongs closer to discussed, not prepared by the consultants. The revised sentence makes that relationship clear.

Types and Examples of Misplaced Modifiers

Misplaced modifiers come in different forms—single words, phrases, or clauses. Regardless of their length, the rule stays the same: a modifier must sit close to the word or idea it describes. Let’s look at how each type can cause confusion and how to fix it.

Single-Word Modifiers

Single-word modifiers are often adverbs like only, almost, even, just, or barely. Because these words can modify different parts of a sentence, moving them slightly changes the meaning. For example:

❌ Maria only submitted the report yesterday.
✅ Maria submitted the report only yesterday.

In the first sentence, only modifies submitted, implying Maria did nothing else with the report. In the corrected version, only modifies yesterday, clarifying that she submitted it recently.

Modifier Phrases

A modifier phrase is a group of words that together describe another word or idea. When the phrase is misplaced, it attaches to the wrong part of the sentence. For example:

❌ The traveler found a wallet walking through the park.
✅ Walking through the park, the traveler found a wallet.

In the first version, it sounds like the wallet was walking. The corrected version places the phrase walking through the park next to the noun it actually modifies—the traveler.

Another example:

❌ The company hired employees with enthusiasm during the job fair.
✅ During the job fair, the company hired employees with enthusiasm.

Now, it’s clear that the company, not the job fair, showed enthusiasm.

Modifier Clauses

A modifier clause is a dependent clause that adds information about a noun or action. When placed incorrectly, it can suggest the wrong connection. For example:

❌ The dog chased the boy that was barking loudly.
✅ The dog that was barking loudly chased the boy.

In the first version, the clause “that was barking loudly” is placed next to boy, which makes it sound like the boy was barking. In the corrected version, the clause is moved beside dog, making it clear that the dog was barking, not the boy.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Misplaced Modifiers

Correcting misplaced modifiers isn’t about memorizing rules — it’s about understanding relationships between words. Each modifier should clearly describe a specific part of your sentence. Here’s how to check and fix placement step by step.

Step 1: Identify the Modifier

Begin by spotting the descriptive part of your sentence—the word, phrase, or clause that adds detail.

For example, “The photographer captured portraits of students with expensive cameras.“

At first glance, this looks fine. But notice the phrase with expensive cameras. It’s unclear who owns the cameras—the photographer or the students? That uncertainty signals a misplaced modifier.

Step 2: Find What the Modifier Actually Describes

Ask yourself what the modifier is truly meant to describe. In this case, with expensive cameras should describe the photographer, not the students. If a modifier sits far from its target, or if the sentence sounds illogical, you’ve found your problem.

Step 3: Move the Modifier Closer to Its Target

Now place the modifier beside the word or phrase it’s meant to describe.

The photographer with expensive cameras captured portraits of students.

Now, the meaning is clear—the photographer, not the students, has the expensive equipment.
A simple shift in placement is often all it takes to correct a misplaced modifier and make the sentence sound natural.

Step 4: Read the Sentence Aloud for Clarity

Reading aloud helps reveal awkward rhythm or misplaced emphasis. If a sentence makes you pause or sounds unintentionally funny, the modifier might still be off.

❌ He gave a book to the student about leadership.
✅ He gave a book about leadership to the student.

Hearing it out loud makes the correct version feel natural and logical.

Step 5: Simplify When Sentences Get Too Long

Long sentences often have multiple modifiers fighting for attention. Simplify or rearrange them so each modifier has a clear connection.

❌ The manager discussed the issue with great frustration during the meeting that lasted two hours.
✅ During the two-hour meeting, the manager discussed the issue with great frustration.

When a sentence grows crowded, breaking it into smaller parts or moving a phrase forward often restores balance.

Misplaced Modifiers vs. Dangling Modifiers

Misplaced and dangling modifiers are closely related, but they’re not the same. Both create confusion by breaking the connection between a modifier and the word it’s meant to describe—yet the cause and fix differ.

A misplaced modifier is in the wrong spot in the sentence, but the word it describes is still there. You can fix it by moving the modifier closer to its target. For example:

❌ The waiter served dessert to the guests covered in chocolate.
✅ The waiter served dessert covered in chocolate to the guests.

A dangling modifier, on the other hand, has nothing to attach to — the sentence never names the thing being described.
You can’t fix it by rearranging words; you must add the missing subject. For example:

❌ Driving through the storm, the power lines were knocked down.
✅ Driving through the storm, the crew saw that the power lines were knocked down.

Quick Way to Remember:

When editing, look for modifiers at the beginning or end of a sentence. If you can find the subject, but it’s too far away, it’s misplaced. If the subject is missing entirely, it’s dangling.

FAQs About Misplaced Modifiers