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Limiting Modifiers and Their Limits

6/2/2014

3 Comments

 
Six years ago, I heard an advertisement on the radio. The announcer was describing a new cell phone:

                “It’s just not stylish…”

Not stylish?  Why would anyone want to buy a phone that's not stylish?

Further thought made me decide they had misplaced their modifier, not their minds—their limiting modifier. I was pretty sure that what the company had been aiming for was something more like this:

                It’s not just stylish…
                              it’s functional,
                              it’s practical,
                               it’s state-of-the-art…

Why is it important to pay attention to limiting modifiers, a small class of little words? Because, as you can see, they can make big difference to your meaning. 

Limiting modifiers limit the scope of what they modify. Some of the most common are just, only, almost, and nearly. Readers will automatically assume that what is being limited is the item occuring immediately after the modifier. 

Limiting modifiers are, in some ways, more flexible than other modifiers, as they can occur in many different places in a sentence, modifying a noun or a verb—but the change in location signals a change in meaning:
  • Give only  the dictionary to Susan. (Limits the direct object --presumably you have other things with you, but Susan doesn’t get any of them except the dictionary.)
  • Give the dictionary only  to Susan. (Limits the indirect object—Jake may want it, but you are to give it to Susan, no one else.)
  • Only  give the dictionary to Susan. (Limits the verb—don’t hit Susan with the dictionary, either literally or metaphorically. )
Okay, I may be stretching things with this last example, but hopefully you get the idea now.

So, misplace your keys, your Mighty Mouse stapler, your to-do list, but never your modifiers. It’s just not stylish.


How do you feel about limiting modifiers? Are they friend or foe? Have you any good examples to share?
3 Comments
Ranee Tomlin
2/25/2015 01:58:21 am

Lisa, I shared this blog with my University of California San Diego Extension online Grammar Lab course, because we've been studying misplaced and squinting modifiers. I just wanted to let you know how much we all (including the class instructor!) enjoyed and appreciated your wisdom on one of our mutual pet peeves. Thanks!

Reply
Lisa link
2/25/2015 03:29:35 am

Thanks, Ranee. I appreciate the feedback. I'm glad I could help.

Reply
Alex Cooks link
12/15/2020 12:39:29 am

Thank you for wriiting this

Reply



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    Lisa Roettger

    Lisa is a developmental editor and a copy editor, as well as being a writer herself. She loves helping writers bring their books into the hands, heads, and hearts of readers. 

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