Modifiers

Misplaced modifiers

Place modifying words and phrases as close as possible to the word being modified. Otherwise, changes in meaning can occur.

We talked to Joe Smith, who once sang on the international stage at breaktime.

The misplaced modifier is the phrase "at breaktime." Its location produces ambiguity. Several ways to clarify the meaning are as follows:

At breaktime, we talked to Joe Smith, who once sang on the international stage.
We talked at breaktime to Joe Smith, who once sang on the international stage.
We talked to Joe Smith at breaktime. He once sang on the international stage.

Another example:

Do not give music to a member that is copied.

Clarified:

Do not give music that is copied to a guest.
Do not give copied music to a guest.

Dangling modifiers

Modifiers must be able to modify (or limit) a specific word or phrase in a sentence. If there is no word or phrase within the sentence for the modifier to limit, then the modifier is said to "dangle" (a reference to grammar school sentence diagramming activities for modifiers).

While directing the chorus, the rain began to fall.
(Who was directing the chorus?)
While John directed the chorus, the rain began to fall.

To get a shot at international, a score of 1800 must be earned.
(Who gets a shot at international?)
To get a shot at international, a quartet must score at least 1800 points.

Comparative forms

Adjective and adverbs describe words and tell what their qualities are. These qualities may be compared by using comparative and superlative form. The comparative is used to compare two things; the superlative is used to express the highest degree of a quality when three or more are compared.

comparative adjective: Your quartet is classier than mine.
superlative adjective: Your quartet is the smoothest in the contest.
comparative adverb: Your quartet can sing louder than mine.
superlative adverb: Your quartet can sing the loudest of all.

The comparative may be formed by either adding "-er" at the end of the adjective/adverb or by preceding it with the word "more" or "less"; the superlative may be formed by either adding "-est" to the end of the adjective/adverb or by preceding it with the word "most" or "least." Never mix the two methods. The choice of formation is determined on the basis of syllables in the adjective or adverb:

--If the modifier is a one-syllable word, use the -er/-est form.

dull duller dullest

quick quicker quickest

--If the modifier is three or more syllables, use the more or less/most or least form.

beautiful more beautiful most beautiful

rapidly less rapidly least rapidly

--If the modifier is two syllables, either method is acceptable depending on the sound of the formation.

quiet quieter quietest

more quiet most quiet

lonely lonelier loneliest

less lonely least lonely

Irregular Comparisons

The comparative and superlative forms of some frequently used adjectives and adverbs are irregular. They are made by changing the words themselves.

adjective comparative superlative

good better best

well better best

bad worse worst

ill worse worst

little less or lesser least

much more most

many more most

adverb comparative superlative

well better best

much more most

little less least

late later latest, last

Illogical comparison

The word "other" or the word "else" is required in comparisons of an individual member with the rest of the group.

Illogical Our chorus scored more points than any chorus in the contest.
(Our chorus was also in the contest.)

Clear Our chorus scored more points than any other chorus in the contest.

Illogical John is as talented a bass as anyone in the chorus.
(John is part of the chorus, so he can't be compared to himself.)

Clear John is as talented a bass as anyone

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