英文单词“modifiers”（修饰语）的词根是“modify”，其含义是改变某物。修饰语的作用就是改变、澄清、强调或限制句子中的词汇或短语。修饰语可以是单词、短语或分句，能够起到形容词或副词的作用。
- 形容词
- I want a delicious sandwich for lunch.
- 副词
- You have to run fast to get there in time
- 定语从句
- She is the one who knows the recipe.
什么是错位修饰语?
错位修饰语是指在修饰单词、短语或分句时，修饰语的位置不对。修饰语通常应当紧邻它要描述的词。当修饰语被错置时，它就修饰错了地方。
- Incorrect
- She met a new friend working at the school.
- Correct
- She met a new friend while working at the school.
- Correct
- She met a new friend who works at the school.
上例中的错误写法导致句子的意思含糊，因为搞不清楚修饰语“working at the school”是修饰“a new friend”还是“She”。
那句话可以表示以下两个意思：
1. 她在学校工作的时候遇到了一个新朋友。
2. 她遇到了一个在学校工作的新朋友。
- Incorrect
- He said after New Year’s day he will stop smoking.
- Correct
- He said that, after New Year’s day, he will stop smoking.
- Correct
- He said after New Year’s day that he will stop smoking.
限制性修饰语
限制性修饰语是对所修饰的词的含义进行限制。
英文中的almost, hardly, nearly, just, only, merely是一些常用的限制性修饰语。限制性修饰语应当紧邻放在它们所修饰的词的前面。如果把限制性修饰语与它所修饰的词分开，会造成修饰关系不清晰和令人迷惑。
- Example
- Only she wants to go out.
She only wants to go out.
在上例中，由于限制性修饰语（only）在句中所处位置不同，句子的意思会完全改变。第一句话表示在所有的人当中，她是唯一一个想出去的人。第二句话则表示她唯一想做的事情就是出去。这两个句子在语法上都正确，但它们却具有完全不同的意思。
- Example
- I almost won $500.
I won almost $500.
在上例中，第一句话表示我差点就赢了500美元，但实际没有赢。第二句话表示我赢的钱接近500美元。
如何纠正错位修饰语
纠正错位修饰语的方法很简单，就是把修饰语放在正确的位置即可，即把修饰语放在它要修饰的名词, 代词, 形容词或动词的前面或后面。
- Incorrect
- The politician was interviewed after the crime was committed by the reporters.
- Correct
- The politician was interviewed by the reporters after the crime was committed.
- Incorrect
- The girl walked the dog in the red sweater.
- Correct
- The girl in the red sweater walked the dog.
- Incorrect
- Though hungry and cold, the food was left untouched by the students.
- Correct
- Though hungry and cold, the students did not touch the food.
什么是悬垂修饰语?
在有悬垂修饰语的句子中，修饰语所修饰的主语被省略，导致主语可能会用错。 当修饰语放在句首时，被修饰语修饰的主语应该紧随其后。
- Incorrect
- Walking through the forest, a wolf appeared in front of her.
- Correct
- Walking through the forest, she encountered a wolf.
在上例中，穿过森林的不是狼，而是她。因此，主句的主语应该改为她。
- Incorrect
- Upon entering the room, the food came into her sight.
- Correct
- Upon entering the room, she saw the food.
在上例中，进房间的不是食物，而是她。因此，主句的主语应该改为她。
如何纠正悬垂修饰语
有两种方法可以纠正悬垂修饰语的错误。一般来讲，可以改变主句的主语，把主语紧挨着放在修饰语短语的后面。另一种解决办法是把主语加到修饰语短语中。
改变主句的主语
将主句的主语改为修饰语要修饰的那个词。
修改修饰语短语
把主语放在修饰语短语中，维持主句原样不变。
- Incorrect
- Not having finished the assignment, the game could not begin.
- Correct
- Not having finished the assignment, I could not begin the game.
Since I did not finish the assignment, the game could not begin.
- Incorrect
- Cold and hungry, the dinner was devoured by the boys.
- Correct
- Cold and hungry, the boys devoured the dinner.
The boys, who were cold and hungry, devoured the dinner.