How the Location of Modifier Words Ensures Clarity in Your Writing

The term “modify” means to alter something. In language, a modifier changes, clarifies, qualifies, or limits a particular word in a sentence. Modifiers are often adjectives and adverbs, but they can also be adjective clauses and adverbial phrases.

Some guidelines advise against using adjectives and adverbs. When faced with a word count, these words are often easy to cut, especially when they are overused. But sometimes we need to add emphasis or detail to a point we make in our writing. In these cases, we need to be intentional about where we place modifiers in a sentence.

Misplaced Modifiers

Misplaced modifiers can cause confusion. If a modifier is misplaced, then it will modify something different from what you intended, which will convey a different (and sometimes humorous) meaning.

When you use modifiers, you want to place them next (or as close as possible) to the words they modify. This placement ensures clarity.

Consider the following example:

The researcher treated the animals using the compound.

In this example, who used the compound? The researcher, or the animals? We suspect that the researcher used the compound, but this detail isn’t clear.

A clearer sentence would be:

The researcher treated the animals with the compound.

As another example, consider the following sentence: 

The patient was referred to a specialist with lupus.

In this example, who had lupus? The patient, or the specialist?

A clearer sentence would be:

The patient with lupus was referred to a specialist.

Limiting Modifiers

Limiting modifiers are particularly troublesome. Some common limiting modifiers include the terms only, just, almost, slowly, and simply.

If a limiting modifier is not placed immediately before the word or phrase it modifies, then the meaning of an entire sentence can change. 

Consider the examples below with the term only. Each sentence has a different meaning based on where only is placed in the sentence.

Only medication can cure the disease.

Medication only can cure the disease.

Medication can only cure the disease.

Medication can cure only the disease.

Medication can cure the only disease.

Medication can cure the disease only.

Location, Location, Location

Where you place your modifiers can affect clarity. The best way to ensure clarity in your writing is to place modifiers next (or as close as possible) to the word or phrase they modify. For limiting modifiers, place them immediately before the word they modify.