Question

Is there a misplaced modifier in the sentence below?

Peter Parker lost track of his parakeet admiring the snow globe yesterday.

Misplaced Modifier

No Error

Answer 1

Yes, there is a misplaced modifier in the sentence. The phrase "admiring the snow globe" is intended to modify "Peter Parker," but because of its placement, it appears to modify "his parakeet." To clarify the sentence, you could say, "Yesterday, Peter Parker, admiring the snow globe, lost track of his parakeet" or "Peter Parker lost track of his parakeet while he was admiring the snow globe yesterday." This way, it is clear who is doing the admiring.