CHAPTER 4 Mechanics 44 A misplaced modifier is a word or phrase that describes something, but is in the wrong
place in the sentence. It isn’t dangling; no extra words are needed; the modifier is just in the
wrong place. The danger of misplaced modifiers, as with dangling modifiers, is that they
confuse meaning.
Incorrect: I had to have the cafeteria unlocked meeting with student govern-
ment this morning.
Did the cafeteria meet with student government? To say exactly what is meant, the mod-
ifying phrase “meeting with student government” should be moved to the beginning of the
sentence.
Correct: Meeting with student government this morning, I had to have the
cafeteria unlocked.
