Lesson 11
Parts of Speech: Modifying Elements
You have already learned that adjectives and adverbs work in sentences as modifiers. Phrases and clauses
may also work as modifiers. Often, however, they are misplaced or misused. To keep meaning clear, you
should place these modifying elements (underlined in the following examples) as close as possible to the
word or phrase that they modify (italicized):
The engineer with the microchip said nothing was wrong.
The engineer said nothing was wrong with the microchip.
The secretary who quit left a note for the staff accountant.
The secretary left a note for the staff accountant who quit.
During the meeting, they learned of the disturbance.
They learned of the disturbance during the meeting.
Some phrases and clauses modify, in effect, nothing. Therefore, they are called dangling modifiers:
Instead of introducing a new service, existing services were improved.
The modifying phrase in this sentence does not refer to anything; nothing in the sentence is capable of
introducing a new service. Therefore, the sentence must be changed so that the modifier clearly refers to
something that makes sense (italicized in the following sentence):
Instead of introducing a new service, they improved existing services.
In the revised sentence, they are capable of introducing a new service.
Here is another example that makes no sense:
Although a superb speaker, the organization did not invite her to make a presentation.
An organization cannot be a superb speaker. After a simple change, however, the sentence makes sense:
Although she was a superb speaker, the organization did not invite her to make a presentation.
In the following exercises, underline the modifying elements that are not in the right place and do not make
sense:
1. Hampered by a slow economy, dropping the weakest product line seemed reasonable.
2. The typing went quickly, pausing only to get a cup of tea.
3. Because I was unable to make the figures add up, the senior accountant helped me complete the balance
sheet.
4. Completely depleted, we must restock the warehouse.
5. While writing the proposal for them, my clients gave me all the information I needed.
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English Essentials
6. Obviously a good worker, we should give him a raise.
7. The industry, pressured by imports, suffered losses.
8. Having multiple product lines, poor sales of one won't hurt them.
9. Joel wrote the report in two weeks overwhelmed with other work.
10. With a new batch of products in the warehouse, all orders can be filled next week.
11. Grasping the tab firmly, pull it toward you.
12. Without a single hat in the store, you cannot buy one.
13. Customers get priority service who have maintenance contracts.
14. Exhausted after a long day, sleep seemed the only cure.
15. Despite careful preparation, the proposal was not accepted.
Another sign of careful English is the proper use of that and which. To use them properly, you must
understand the difference between restrictive and nonrestrictive modifiers. A restrictive modifier is essential
to the sentence and cannot be omitted without changing its meaning; a nonrestrictive modifier, on the other
hand, can be omitted without changing the sentence's essential meaning. Notice the difference:
Restrictive: The proposal that they submitted will be accepted.
Nonrestrictive: The proposal, which they submitted far in advance, will be accepted.
In the first sentence, the restrictive clause tells us an important fact about the proposal being discussed;
without it, we would not know which proposal is meant. But in the second sentence, the essential meaning
(The proposal will be accepted) is not affected by the nonrestrictive clause—only modified by it.
As you can see, that is used to introduce restrictive modifiers, with no commas separating such a modifier
from the rest of the sentence. Which is used to introduce nonrestrictive modifiers, which are set off from the
rest of the sentence with commas.
The difference between restrictive and nonrestrictive modifiers also applies to sentences that do not use that
or which:
The programmer who designed the subroutine will get a promotion. (identifies one of several
programmers)
Nonrestrictive: The programmer, who designed the subroutine, will get a promotion. (gives additional
information about the only programmer)
Restrictive:
In the following exercises, insert and delete words and commas so that restrictive and nonrestrictive modifiers
are used correctly:
16. The one audit which I was working on is for Sparks, Ltd.
17. Anyone, who wants to advance, should develop job skills.
18. DeLora Johnson the director of planning is out of town.