A descriptive or qualifying word (modifier) placed in an awkward position, usually far away from what it modifies: I read that there was a big fire in yesterday?s newspaper. I read in yesterday?s newspaper that there was a big fire. [Place the modifier af
a word or group of words that causes confusion or misreading because it is not placed next to the element it should modify: e.g., Ionly ate the pie. [Revised: I ate only the pie.
a word or phrase apparently modifying an unintended word because of its placement in a sentence: e.g., `when young' in `when young, circuses appeal to all of us'
an adjective phrase incorrectly placed
a word or phrase that is in the wrong place in a sentence, and therefore does not clearly describe, modify or limit another word or phrase correctly
a word or phrase that is placed within the sentence so as to suggest that it modifies a word other than that which the author intended
a word, phrase, or clause that is not placed close enough to the word it describes or is related to
A lack of agreement between the subject and its modifier. In the sentence, "Malaria is often a threat when traveling in foreign countries," it is unclear as to what or who is doing the traveling - you or the malaria.