misplaced modifier

(noun)

Occurs when it is unclear what word or words a modifier is referencing. 

Related Terms

Examples of misplaced modifier in the following topics:

  • Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

    • In situations where modifiers are used incorrectly, the result is a dangling modifier, a misplaced modifier, or a squinting modifier.
    • Similar to a dangling modifier, a misplaced modifier occurs when it is unclear what word(s) the modifier is referencing.
    • Most misplaced modifiers can be corrected by placing the modifying phrase next to the subject it refers to.
    • Misplaced: Peter ate the pie sitting on the windowsill.
    • To avoid dangling and misplaced modifiers in your writing, make sure the word or phrase being modified is clearly identified.

  • Introduction to Sustainability as an Objective

    • Yet too many business schools (and businesses) fail to see a similar sense of irony when they announce that they're ‘going green' – with the result that their efforts end up looking like nothing more than a misplaced marketing exercise.

  • Cost-Based Pricing

    • Cost-based pricing is misplaced in industries where there are high fixed costs and near-zero marginal costs.

  • Back Injuries and Heavy Lifting

    • This results in misplaced force application within the spine, often resulting in hemorrhage of disks within the spinal column.

  • Beta Coefficient for Portfolios

    • Every time the S&P gains 1%, your fund nets you 100,000 in fund A and S Misplaced &3,000 and your position in fund B pays you 2,000, which is less damage than you would have suffered on your position in the S&P index fund.

  • Impact of Modifying Inputs on Business Operations

    • Modifying inputs such as accounts receivable, inventory, and accounts payable will significantly influence forecasting and business operations.
    • Modifying any one of these inputs can lead to major changes in forecasts.
    • Accounts receivable has a great effect on a firm's expected cash inflows, and thus modifying this input on a forecast will affect how much cash a company decides to have on hand.
    • Modifying accounts payable will drastically change the amount of cash-on-hand required for a business.
    • Inventory management is a modifying input that can impact financial forecasts

  • Introduction to Adjectives and Adverbs

    • Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns; adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
    • But without modifiers, "the Great Wall"  would simply be "the Wall."
    • Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
    • [The adverb reasonably modifies the adjective early.]
    • [The adverb quite modifies the adverb passionately.]

  • When to Modify Products

    • While the decision to modify products happens ideally at the design stage, products can be changed during any phase of the life cycle.
    • At some point during the life cycle, products may be modified to compete more effectively in the market, and appeal to evolving consumer and business demand .
    • Factors that can influence whether products are modified at the design stage include:
    • Product design is an iterative process, and often needs to be modified due to manufacturing constraints or conflicting requirements.

  • Correctness

    • Discussing correctness in writing may conjure up images of English teachers on the prowl for misplaced apostrophes.

  • Adverbs

    • Just as adjectives modify nouns and pronouns, adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
    • You can use prepositional phrases as adverbs if they modify a verb, adjective, or adverb.