Vocabulary Today
  • Download App Now
  • Word of the Day 🎮
  • Word Search Game
  • English Quiz
  • English Quotes
  • Vocabulary Lessons
  • English Video
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Register
  • Download App Now
  • Word of the Day 🎮
  • Word Search Game
  • English Quiz
  • English Quotes
  • Vocabulary Lessons
  • English Video
No Result
View All Result
Vocabulary Today
No Result
View All Result
squinting modifiers

Why should you avoid squinting modifiers when writing in English?

20/11/2019
in Lessons
Reading Time: 3min read
0
452
SHARES
2.3k
VIEWS
SendShareTweet

Whenever you add something to a sentence to enhance the meaning or to add more information about it, you need something called a ‘modifier’. Such words are usually adverbs or adjectives, depending on the requirement of the writer. If you want to modify the noun, then you need an adjective modifier. On the other hand, if you wish to modify a verb, then your sentence necessitates an adverb modifier.

In some cases, nouns, clauses and other phrases could also be used as modifiers.

Modifiers could either be squinting, dangling or misplaced. Though neither of the three is acceptable in written English, today we shall take a look at Squinting modifiers, and why we should avoid them when writing in English.

Squinting Modifiers

Such a type of modifier is a type of the misplaced category. One of the chief reasons why writers and editors disagree with squinting modifiers is because they make the sentence ambiguous. An ambiguous sentence is one in which there is a scope for confusion. The modifier might not make what it is modifying, thus leading to the confusion.

When we saw ‘squinting’, it means that the modifier is not used in the right place, that means, it could modify the text before or after. The word squint in itself means, one is unsure of the direction he/she is looking- right or left. Such a misplaced modifier keeps one in the same confusion, whether to look in the right of the modifier or left.

squinting modifiers
viahttps://memegenerator.net/instance/78212927/senor-chang-paper-squinting-modifier

Let us take a look at this with an example.

Saving lives often induces pride.

In the above sentence, the word ‘often’ is the modifier. The place of the word is in such a manner that one cannot know if it is adding informing about saving lives or inducing pride.

To fix this squinting modifier, we need to move the place of the modifier. It could be ‘Often, saving lives induces pride.’ In this case, we know that the word ‘often’ is adding more information about the phrase ‘saving lives’.

Let us understand the concept of squinting modifiers with another example. ‘He can only lend me ten dollars.’ In this sentence, the modifier ‘only’ makes the sentence ambiguous. We do not know if it means to say if ‘only he’ can lend ten dollars or that he can lend ‘only ten dollars’.

Once again, the modifier needs to find its right place. You can change the sentence to ‘Only he can lend me ten dollars’ or ‘He can lend me ten dollars only.‘

Practice Fixing Such Modifiers

Now that you know the concept of Squinting Modifiers, it would be easy for you to fix the following sentences. Remember, you have to find the modifier, and replace it or reconstruct the entire sentence. Leave no scope for ambiguity. If you answer them, then leave your responses in the comment section below.

  1. She told her nephew eventually the dog would have to go back to its owner.
  2. She believes massage often improves her blood circulation.
  3. May told her mother after she got married, she had no intention to have a child.
  4. Taking a moment to think clearly improves your chances.
  5. Public speakers who pause briefly refocus their audience.
  6. Cycling up hills quickly strengthens your quadriceps.
  7. Jumping up and down quickly entertained him.
  8. Getting married quickly changes your ways.

If you enjoyed this lesson on Squinting Modifiers, then keep watching our space for a lesson on Dangling modifiers. Until then, make sure you eliminate ambiguity from your sentences.

Confused between Staid and Stayed? Let’s Resolve it now!

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...
Tags: englishenglish grammarenglish languageenglish learningenglish lessonsmodifierssquinting modifierssquinting modifiers examples

Get notified as soon as new "Word of the day is published"

Unsubscribe
Previous Post

Beguile – meaning, usage, quotes, and social examples

Next Post

Candor – meaning, usage, quotes, and social examples

Related Posts

2021 vocabulary
Lessons

2021 Vocabulary- Words that hit dictionaries this year!

14/02/2021
bulbous meaning
Words

Bulbous meaning, usage, quotes, and social examples

13/10/2020

Discussion about this post

Today's Word

transpose

Transpose meaning, usage, quotes, and social examples

13/04/2021

Subscribe to get Word of the Day Free

Simply click on the subscribe button below, and get Word of the Day delivered right to you as soon as they are published.

Subscribe

Subscribe for Word of the Day via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe for Word of the Day and receive notifications of new words by email.

Join 100,348 other subscribers.

Why VocabularyToay.com

Learn meaning, grammar, usage examples, synonyms, antonyms, and more

VocabularyToday.com is an initiative to help you enhance your vocabulary, a word a day, the fun way.By reading a word, by playing a game, or by competing with your friends, there are several fun ways, to make learning a fun activity.Enhancing your vocabulary has several benefits: * career (communication skill is the most sought after skill across verticals) * life (better vocabulary helps you express yourself better) * health (continued learning, and fun quizzes, puzzles and games are known to improve grey matter in your brain.

Categories

  • Grammar Test
  • Lessons
  • Quotes
  • Uncategorized
  • Video
  • Words
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Download App Now
  • Terms & Conditions
Subscribe on Email

© 2019 Vocabulary Today

No Result
View All Result
  • Download App Now
  • Word of the Day 🎮
  • Word Search Game
  • English Quiz
  • English Quotes
  • Vocabulary Lessons
  • English Video

© 2019 Vocabulary Today

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

%d bloggers like this: