Writing - Misplaced Modifiers

TRANSCRIPT:
So, first of all, what is a "modifier"? A modifier is anything in a sentence, it could be an adjective or an adverb, a clause, a phrase, anything that modifies something else in the sentence. What does "modify" mean? Means to change, change the meaning of, change the idea of. Okay? So, for example: if you say: "A car", you have an idea of a car. You say: "A red car", you have a different idea of the car probably. So "red" modifies "car".

Okay, so what we're looking at is misplaced modifiers. We have misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers, squinting modifiers. Don't worry about the technical words. Worry about what is actually happening here. So I'm going to start with these examples, and we'll look at a few others in a minute.

So look at these two sentences:
"I call only my mother when I'm sick."
"I only call my mother when I'm sick."

Now, this word: "only" is the modifier we're looking at. It is very, very often misplaced; people don't realize that this word doesn't necessarily go where it should go half the time. It's amazing how many people misplace it. So what does this sentence mean: "I call only my mother when I'm sick"? It means: when I'm sick, I don't call my friends, I don't call my girlfriend or boyfriend, I don't call my aunt or uncle; only my mother. I'm sick: "Mom, come make me some soup, please." You have to be polite, of course.
"I only call my mother when I'm sick." It means: when I'm healthy, I don't call her. I never speak to her, only when I'm sick do I call her. She gets very angry at me, she thinks I'm using her. But according to this sentence, I am, because I only call her when I'm sick. So you understand what this word does to the sentence. Okay? Very, very important where you place it to know which word it's going to modify.
The secret about modifiers: place them close to the word you're trying to modify. But that also doesn't always work.
"People who whistle quickly become annoying."

Now, you're thinking: "This sentence looks okay." The problem is: what does it mean? Is it: "People who whistle quickly, become annoying"? Or: "People who whistle, quickly become annoying"? Which one do you mean? All people who whistle or just people who whistle quickly? I don't think I should whistle, I'll probably blow the mic, but very fast whistling. Right? So, this is called a squinting modifier; you're not sure which word the modifier is going with. How can I fix this? You can probably cut it into two sentences. "I get quickly annoyed by people who whistle." Or: "People who whistle become annoying quickly." Or just change the location or again, just split it into two different sentences, that's another solution.

Here's another one, this is called more... This is more of a dangling modifier:
"I went to see a movie last night with my friend, which was really boring."
Okay, maybe you understand the sentence. I don't. What was boring, the movie or the going out with the friend? This is called a dangling modifier because I don't actually know what it is modifying. I'm not sure what this "which" is, the situation or the movie. So again, to fix it, just bring it closer to the actual thing. I'm going to assume you're talking about the movie. "I went to see a movie last night which was really boring, with my friend." No, that's not a very good way to fix it either. "I went to see a movie which was really boring last night with my friend." That's much better, it's right next to the thing you're modifying. So you want to put this right here, so it modifies the movie itself. Okay? So here're three different examples of misplaced modifiers. Let's look at a few more.
Okay, let's look at a few more examples, and eventually, we'll get to some funny ones that you'll understand why it could be embarrassing.

[yangqin]

Sir, you have been one of the best English teacher on Youtube. The world needs more English teachers like you. Your teaching has always been excellent! 5 stars and 5 garlands from me. (Malaysia)

[tasnim]

One of the best English teachers ever. I like every lesson I've went through till now. Very informative. Thank you so much.

[nwright]

@englishteacheradam Adam, I am a 48 year old guy studying for a standardized test to get my teaching certificate in Florida. I only speak (American) English and your explanation of this is very clear and very understandable. Thank you for doing the work that you do and you have gained another subscriber to add to your 2.3 million!

[mariasilviajimenez]

I'm totally in love with the way you teach. Thanks from México

[ItaloDiscoKing]

Your lessons are amazing! They're clear, fun and useful!

[daeshabarefield]

8 years later, and thus has helped me. Thank you!

[chautran]

U know you r the great teacher i have known on youtube. You teach with all your heart. My English gets better and better. Thanks Adam a lot

[princetontoprivate]

Adam, a very helpful lesson, ESPECIALLY for native speakers. It's too common a mistake. You mentioned the definition of the second "only" sentence is that the speaker calls his mother only when he's sick, but that would be true if the sentence were, "I call my mother only when I'm sick." The sentence, as it's written, means the speaker doesn't do any action towards his mother other than calling; he doesn't invite her, greet her, love her, etc. On the other hand, thank you for skipping over "my friend" completely when discussing possible nouns to which "which" could refer. "My friend" is a person and would, therefore, require "who"! Useful, easily digestible stuff here. Thank you!

[jimmynoronha]

Yes, these modifiers have been a bit of a puzzle for long, but now I can say after I heard you, they are less puzzling for I came to you already twice and your medicine has been working well. Thanks.

[ArtemHahauz-nmbk]

Invaluable, humorous, and informative!
Thank you very much for that!
I watched a few videos regarding this topic, but I didn't actually understand anything. Unfortunately, plenty of teachers try to explain the subject; meanwhile, they do not absolutely understand it themselves. I was under the impression that motifiers are extremely overwhelming and it is almost impossible to master them; now, however, I have a quite deep understanding of them due to this marvelous video, of course. The only thing that I wanted to point to and remind other people "Don't forget to practice, as 'If you don't use it, you lose it!'"
Regards from Ukraine!

[giannisyan]

this is a classic lesson. I had those problems, when i write my articles. I just didn't notice. Thanks for point out. love your videos.

[nze]

Thank you so much for that great input

[faizalfaisal]

it's really helpful thank you, Mr. Adam

[elyabekitaeva]

You are the best teacher, which I have ever seen, you and Emma. Thanks for sharing your great lessons, in a way which nobody did it.

[moes.d]

you have been one of the best English teacher on Youtube

[MichaelPerryJr]

Thanks a lot! As a native speaker, I don't make these mistakes often, but I do. And teaching it to non-native speakers quickly becomes difficult. Thank you! I appreciate it.

[tom.swellow]

watching this video I've learned what modifiers look like, I realized that I've learned new words and made my vocabulary more expanded, and enhanced, cheers. This Learned Grammar will assist me a lot to acquire obtained knowledge in my speech, thanks

[lyvettemg]

I like how you explained modifiers in a simple way!
:)

[mondyjoestar]

9 years later and your videos still help me, thanks!

[PsychedToknow-qwcb]

Excellent lesson, Adam!

However, regarding "I only call my mother when I'm sick", that sentence would mean that the person only *calls* his mother when he's sick -- ie, he doesn't text her, email her or visit her; he only calls her. The correct version would would be "I call my mother *only* when I'm sick." In that sentence, the subject is saying that he calls his mother *only* when he's sick -- when he isn't, he never calls her.


Regarding "She saw dark rain clouds on the way to the park", another option would have been simply to place a comma before "on the way to the park"; however, the better option is, as you said, "On the way to the park, she saw dark rain clouds."

Great stuff!