Punctuation Series: How to Edit Modifiers

Presentation is everything, especially when it comes to the publishing world. And your presentation of punctuation is crucial to your book’s success. But punctuation can be tricky, boring, and downright distressing at times. As a writer and an editor, I completely understand your frustration with grammar altogether. You’d rather write, right? Right! So let’s continue our 2019 focus on a simple, easy-to-understand punctuation series that I hope will be a help and encouragement to you, allowing you more time to write well.

How to Edit Modifiers

Wait a minute, you say. Dangling, misplaced, or simultaneous modifiers does not fall into the category of punctuation. Eh, you have a point. However, might I propose that a dangling modifier has everything to do with commas, and that does point to using the best sentence structure for good punctuation results. Hang on—and I’ll show you what I mean.

Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, take notice. Misplaced modifiers are like the creepy crud of winter, and certainly not meant to be misused in your manuscript.

Why We Even Use Modifiers in the First Place

A modifier use in the beginning of your sentences modifies (or supports) the subject of the sentence. If that’s out of place, your sentence causes a misreading, which is not nice.

What IS a Modifier??

A modifier is a word usually ending in “ing” and is part of a word or phrase. A modifier describes the action or the subject. Feel better? I hope so!

What Are Poorly-placed Modifiers?

• If the modifier does not describe the subject
• If the modifier cannot be connected to the subject
• If the modifier causes the reader any confusion about the subject and the verb’s purpose of the sentence
• If the modifier happens at the same time the subject is doing the action

Dangling Modifier – does not connect to the subject of the sentence

Misplaced Modifier – is unclear about the action taking place

Simultaneous Modifier – creates confusion because two actions are happening at the same time

Let’s Dive In!

Dangling Modifiers

Sentence:

• [Running down the street], the construction cones guided the cars

Problem:

• Well, construction cones can’t run down the street, so this structure is unclear.
  Rewrite:
• The cars drove in between the construction cones lining the street.
  Reason:
• We made the cars the subject of the sentence, which it should be anyway, and this is a much clearer sentence.

Sentence:

• [After offering a slice of bacon], the traveler was nourished to keep going.

Problem:

• Okay, questions. . . Who offered the slice of bacon? And how can one piece of bacon nourish anyone?? I’d want a heaping pile! This sentence is uber unclear on so many levels!
  Rewrite:
• After offering the weary traveler a plate of bacon, Rudy saw the man’s strength return.
  Reason:
• We inserted a clear subject, completed the modifier so that it made sense, and gave the traveler more bacon!!

Misplaced Modifiers

Sentence:

• The professor wrote a book about his experience in Prague on Saturday.

Problem:

• Hmm, when did he write the book? Or when did he have the experiences? The action is totally unclear here.
  Rewrite:
• On Saturday the professor wrote a book about his experience in Prague.
  Reason:
• We placed the adverb at the beginning of the sentence, which establishes the professor’s action. Now we know what actually happened!

Sentence:

• I met with my writer’s group where we talked about our characters’ actions on Tuesdays.

Problem:

• So your characters only have actions on Tuesdays. What do they do on the other days?
  Rewrite:
• I met with my writer’s group on Tuesday where we talked about character action.
  Reason:
• We moved the adverb to when the group actually meets, and we adjusted the subject being talked about so that it made better sense.

Simultaneous Modifiers

Note: I have to say that this one is my favorite because I’ve committed this offense myself, and chuckle now when I catch it. This one truly is a psychological trick, but if we think through each action, this is a super easy fix!

Sentence:

• Taking her shoes off, she put the milk in the fridge.

Problem:

• She cannot take her shoes off and put the milk away at the same time. Not even if she’s a main character from your latest sci-fi or fantasy tale—there are certain rules that cannot be broken.
  Rewrite:
• After taking off her shoes, she put the milk in the fridge.
  Reason:
• We made the first part past action, and made the second part present action.

Sentence:

• Hugging her parents, she tore into the bag of goodies.

Problem:

• Again, this is impossible to do both at once. (No…not even if your character has two sets of hands! It’s just wrong.)
  Rewrite:
• Grateful, she hugged her parents before tearing into the bag of goodies.
  Reason:
• We set each action up as happening separately, with the most obvious order happening first. (Thanking and then opening.)

Using well-placed modifiers is important because presentation and sentence understanding makes a world of difference to an editor, agent, publisher, and readers. That may seem counterintuitive because the writing is equally important, but it’s the presentation that tends to enhance your credibility as a writer. (Especially if you self-publish and are doing your own first-draft editing.)

Next month, we’ll look at some more ways to edit the punctuation in your manuscript, but for now. . .

Please take a minute and join in the discussion! I’d love to hear from you!

What are some of your “pet” dangling modifiers?

Are there any of these sentences you would reword?

Tisha Martin writes historical fiction and nonfiction but also edits and proofreads for beginning and best-selling writers, professional editing agencies, and publishing houses. She has a BA in Professional Writing, an MS in English Education, and an editing certificate from the PEN Institute, affordable continuing education for editors. Active in American Christian Fiction Writers and The PEN, she appreciates the writing and editing communities. As Assistant Director of PENCON, a conference for editors, she enjoys travel marketing and updating PENCON’s Facebook Page. Connect with Tisha on her website www.tishamartin.com and engage in the conversation.