What is a misplaced modifier?

• A. A grammatical error in pronouns
• B. A confusing word or phrase separation
• C. A sentence without any modifiers
• D. A type of sentence formation

Answer: (B)

A misplaced modifier occurs when a descriptive phrase or word is positioned in a sentence in such a way that it creates ambiguity or confusion about what it is modifying. This typically happens when the modifier is placed too far away from the word or phrase it is intended to modify, leading to unclear or misleading interpretations of the sentence.

Choosing the option that describes a "confusing word or phrase separation" accurately captures the essence of a misplaced modifier, as it emphasizes that the placement of the modifier leads to confusion regarding its intended reference. For instance, in the sentence "She nearly drove her kids to school every day," the word "nearly" is misplaced because it seems to limit "drove" instead of "every day," which muddles the intended meaning. The clarity of a sentence can significantly diminish if modifiers are not correctly placed, making it essential to adhere to proper modifier placement for effective communication.