Question

Is there a misplaced modifier in the sentence below?

In his backpack, Michael Mell was exhausted from carrying all our sandwiches.

Misplaced Modifier

No Error

Answer 1

Yes, there is a misplaced modifier in the sentence. The phrase "in his backpack" is incorrectly placed, making it seem like Michael Mell was exhausted from carrying all the sandwiches inside his backpack, rather than indicating that the sandwiches were in his backpack. A clearer version might be: "Michael Mell, exhausted from carrying all our sandwiches, had them in his backpack."