Misplaced modifiers

Okay, maybe it’s an occupational hazard or maybe it’s a pet peeve. I don’t know. But I do know that misplaced modifiers can create misunderstanding among your readers, customers, employees, podcast listeners and web site visitors.

A misplaced modifier is a descriptor (word or phrase) that is incorrectly located within a sentence.

Here’s an example from a local business owner’s radio ads: “Hi, this is the owner’s husband of Hines Motor Sports.” Sounds like the husband is married to the company! And while that may be figuratively true, it’s certainly incorrect.

What he means to say is “This is the husband of the owner of Hines Motor Sports.”

See how I simply moved the words around? It’s an easy fix but one that’s sometimes missed. Check out my read out loud tip if you need help.

By JanO on 12/10/07, In writing, Tags advice, clarity, dialogue, great copy, hate to write, how to write, ideas, non writers, self-publishing, shortcuts, typing