Squinting Modifiers

Squinting modifier is a sentence error happens when a modifier is placed between two words and could modify either one. This causes confusion in meaning; for examples,

 • Students who miss classes frequently fail the course.

Does this sentence mean 'miss classes frequently' or 'frequently fail the course'?

 • The salesman who convinces the customers successfully get order.

Does this sentence mean 'who convinces the customers successfully' or 'successfully get order'?

Solution: Correct squinting modifier by placing it next to word it modifies.

Look at the revised sentences below.

 • Students who miss classes frequently fail the course.
 → Students who frequently miss classes fail the course.

 • The salesman who convinces the customers successfully get order.
 → The salesman who successfully convinces the customers get order.
 → The salesman who convinces the customers get order successfully.