#squinting modifier

Of Course, I Am Guilty of Squinting Modifiers #amwriting #Grammar

Who doesn’t make grammatical bloopers from time to time? That’s why we try to proofread and edit right? Now, I am not one who does not try to write as grammatically error-free as possible, but sometimes a natural engagement of conversations just might hit a few editorial speed traps and snags every now and then.

So, just what are Ambiguous/Squinting Modifiers? A squinting or ambiguous modifier…

This week we are going to look at two structural errors that introduce ambiguity into our narrative.

First up is the hilariously named squinting modifier.  Who thinks up these things? The first time I came across that expression, I thought it was a joke. However, in the world of writing, a “squinting modifier” is simply a type of misplaced modifier. According to Neal at Literal Minded, the term…