Question

Is there a misplaced modifier in the sentence below?

Captain America laughed at the goat eating the book.

Misplaced Modifier

No Error

Answer 1

Yes, there is a misplaced modifier in the sentence. The phrase "eating the book" is intended to modify "the goat," but its placement can make it seem like "the goat" is doing the eating rather than "Captain America." A clearer version of the sentence could be: "Captain America laughed at the goat that was eating the book." This clarifies that it is the goat that is eating, and not Captain America.