Shaky English Logo
BlogBusinessesSchoolsDownload the App

Resources

Blog

Follow us:

Services

TeachersSchoolsBusinesses

Contact & Legal

Contact UsFeedback & IdeasPrivacy PolicyTerms of Use

© 2026 Shaky English. All rights reserved.

  1. Home
  2. Blog
  3. Sentence Structure & Word Order
  4. Misplaced Modifiers
Sentence Structure & Word Order

Misplaced Modifiers

1 min read
Share:

A misplaced modifier happens when extra information is in the wrong spot in a sentence. This can confuse readers — or make the sentence say something funny by mistake.

Example of a misplaced modifier

Confusing: I nearly saw every student in the classroom.

🧐 Wait — did you not see them? Or just almost see them?

Clear version: I saw nearly every student in the classroom.

This version is much clearer — now we know you saw most of the students.

Another example

Confusing: Running to the bus stop, my backpack fell off.

❌ Sounds like the backpack was running!

Better: While I was running to the bus stop, my backpack fell off.

💡 Tip

✅ Make sure the extra detail is close to the word it’s describing.
💡 If your sentence sounds strange or funny — check your modifier!

Test your knowledge 📝

Question 1 sur 8Score: 0/8

My friend gave a sandwich to the dog wrapped in foil.

Discover the app: Shaky English

Join 100,000 people who are improving their English skills on the Shaky English app

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Other similar rules

A bit of theory

The correct use of “anxious”

In everyday English, people often say they are anxious to do something when they actually mean they are eager or excited. However, these words do not mean the same thing. Anxious Anxious means feelin...

Read more→
Common confusions

Then vs. Than

Mixing up then and than is super common — even for native speakers! But they have totally different meanings, and learning when to use each one will make your writing much clearer. Then Then is used...

Read more→
A bit of theory

Affect vs. Effect

Let’s make the difference between affect and effect easy to understand! Affect Affect is usually a verb. It means to influence or to make a change. Too much screen time can affect your sleep....

Read more→
Common confusions

Me vs. I

Most people say things like “Me and my friend went to the store” — and in casual English, that’s fine. But what’s technically correct? And why do grammar nerds still care? Let’s clear it up! I I is...

Read more→
Conjugation

Subject-Verb Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns (e.g. everyone is)

Some subjects in English may look plural, but they take a singular verb. This is especially true with indefinite pronouns — words like everyone, somebody, each, none. Understanding whether these prono...

Read more→
Common confusions

Who vs. That

Ever wondered if you should say “the person who...” or “the person that...”? Let’s clear that up once and for all 👇 Who Who is used when you're talking about people. It introduces a clause that giv...

Read more→
Conjugation

Too vs. Enough

Too and enough both talk about quantity, but they work in opposite ways — and they appear in different places in a sentence. When to use “too” Too means “more than needed” or “more than is good.” It...

Read more→
Common confusions

More than vs. Over

Is it “more than 100 people” or “over 100 people”? Good news: in most cases, both are correct! But here’s how to choose the best one for your sentence 🧠 More than More than is used to talk about qu...

Read more→