Misplaced Modifiers

Definition: Modifiers must be placed as close as possible to the word(s) they modify. Misplaced modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that are located closer to words they don't modify than to the words they do modify.

1		Our neighbor just moved in two weeks ago.
			A)	Our neighbor moved in just two weeks ago.
			B)	Our neighbor moved in two just weeks ago.
			C)	Just our neighbor moved in two weeks ago.
2		Food in this town certainly is expensive; last week, I almost spent $80 on groceries.
			A)	Food in this town certainly is expensive; almost last week, I spent $80 on groceries.
			B)	Food in this town certainly is expensive; last week, I spent almost $80 on groceries.
			C)	Food in this town certainly is expensive; last week, I spent $80 on groceries, almost.
3		Tran played his stereo while Terry did the dishes, at the highest volume possible.
			A)	Tran played his stereo at the highest volume possible while Terry did the dishes.
			B)	Tran, at the highest volume possible, played his stereo while Terry did the dishes.
			C)	At the highest volume possible, Tran played his stereo while Terry did the dishes.
4		Wendy could only complete two thirds of her final exam in the allotted time.
			A)	Wendy could complete two thirds of her final exam in the allotted time only.
			B)	Only Wendy could complete two thirds of her final exam in the allotted time.
			C)	Wendy could complete only two thirds of her final exam in the allotted time.
5		The man who had been eating dinner slowly rose to his feet.
			A)	Slowly, the man who had been eating dinner rose to his feet.
			B)	The man who had been eating dinner rose slowly to his feet.
			C)	The man who had been slowly eating dinner rose to his feet slowly.
6		Eduardo's mother bought him a new car for graduation, which cost nearly $20,000.
			A)	For graduation, Eduardo's mother bought him a new car, which cost nearly $20,000.
			B)	Eduardo's mother, bought him a new car, for graduation, which cost nearly $20,000.
			C)	For $20,000, Eduardo's mother bought him a new car for graduation.
7		Edit the following short passage to correct misplaced modifiers by choosing the correct revision from the alternatives offered below each of the numbered exercises. The numbers in brackets [ ] identify each sentence. Which one of the following editing choices corrects the misplaced modifiers in sentences [1] - [2]?
			A)	Some people are truly addicted to cigarettes. My roommate Saul smokes almost three packs of cigarettes a day.
			B)	Some people are addicted truly to cigarettes. My roommate Saul almost smokes three packs of cigarettes a day.
			C)	Some people are truly addicted to cigarettes. My roommate Saul smokes three packs of cigarettes a day, almost.
8		Which one of the following editing choices corrects the misplaced modifiers in sentences [3] - [4]? Show sentences again.
			A)	In fact, his addiction is so bad that he can't do some things without a cigarette in his hand. For example, he only can drive if he has a cigarette going; unfortunately, he's a truck driver who spends over 40 hours a week on the road.
			B)	In fact, his addiction is so bad that he can't do some things without a cigarette in his hand. For example, he can drive only if he has a cigarette going; unfortunately, he's a truck driver who spends over 40 hours a week on the road.
			C)	In fact, his addiction is so bad that he can't do some things without a cigarette in his hand. For example, he can drive if he has a cigarette going only; unfortunately, he's a truck driver who spends over 40 hours a week on the road.
9		Which one of the following editing choices corrects the misplaced modifiers in sentence [5]? Show sentences again.
			A)	While driving his truck, he constantly smokes, inhaling and exhaling furiously.
			B)	He constantly smokes while driving his truck, inhaling and exhaling furiously.
			C)	He constantly smokes inhaling and exhaling furiously while driving his truck.
10		Which one of the following editing choices corrects the misplaced modifiers in sentences [6]? Show sentences again.
			A)	The truck smells, which he rents for $200 a month, like an ashtray.
			B)	The truck, which he rents for $200 a month, smells like an ashtray.
			C)	The truck smells like an ashtray, which he rents for $200 a month.
11		Which one of the following editing choices corrects the misplaced modifiers in sentences [7] - [8]? Show sentences again.
			A)	Even worse is how his breath smells bad. The stench from his cigarette smoking makes me wonder how he can enjoy his food, which is quite strong if you get near him.
			B)	Even worse is how bad his breath smells. The stench, which is quite strong if you get near him, from his cigarette smoking makes me wonder how he can enjoy his food.
			C)	Even worse is how bad his breath smells. The stench from his cigarette smoking, which is quite strong if you get near him, makes me wonder how he can enjoy his food.