Misplaced Modifiers: phrases and clauses

Some writers use modifiers that act as phrases and clauses to create an accurate illustration for their readers. Such phrases and clauses could include the following:

Adjective clauses: modifies nouns and pronouns

Adverb clauses: modifies a verb, adjective or another adverb

Absolute phrases: modifies a whole clause or sentence

Infinitive phrases: functions as an adjective, adverb or noun

Participle phrases: functions as an adjective and modifies nouns

Prepositional phrases: a preposition that modifies a noun or pronoun

Similar to modifiers acting as adjective or adverbs, modifiers acting as a phrase or clause should be placed close to the subject it modifies. Consider the following sentence.

“I read the school colors were changed in our weekly paper.”

The structure of this sentence implies the weekly paper changed the school colors. This sentence should be revised as follows:

“I read in the weekly paper that the school colors were changed.”