Grammar Lesson: What Is a Squinting Modifier?

Word Smarts ^ | Rachel Gresh

[SeekAndFind]

A squinting modifier is a grammatical quirk that creates ambiguity, often confusing readers who are unsure if the modifier is attached to the word before or after it.

Imagine you’re approaching a traffic light intersection with both signals red, and you’re unsure which direction will turn green first. You’re forced to shift your gaze back and forth, trying to determine your next move. This feeling mirrors the experience of reading a sentence with a squinting modifier. It forces the reader to pause, looking back and forth, unsure which word is actually being modified.

For example, consider the sentence, “Studies show that reading often improves memory.”

The adverb “often” creates a dilemma. Does it modify “reading” (suggesting reading occurs frequently) or “improves memory” (indicating that improvement happens often)? Either interpretation is possible, leaving readers in doubt.

A squinting modifier is an adverb or adjective between two words or phrases. In the above example, the adverb “often” is the squinting modifier.

Here’s another: “The house that got a new roof recently was sold.”

It’s unclear whether the house recently got a new roof or if the house itself recently was sold. This confusion gives the modifier its name — squinting — as it seems to look in both directions.

These modifiers can be fixed by rearranging or rephrasing the sentence. The previous example can be fixed this way: “The house that got a new roof was recently sold.”

Similarly, “Studies show that frequent reading improves memory” is another simple fix. By repositioning the modifier or rephrasing the sentence, you can eliminate ambiguity and clarify your meaning for readers, making your writing clear and concise.

[Scrambler Bob]

Nut screws and bolts.
= = =

That would be Joe. No Kamalas needed.

[Scrambler Bob]

But Komma got voted out.

[alexander_busek]

I thought that is what commas are for, to place the modifier on one side or the other.

Okay, then let's see you insert commas into the two example sentences so as to produce each alternate meaning:

Studies show that reading often improves memory.

The house that got a new roof recently was sold.

Looking forward to seeing what you make of those two sentences!

I, personally, would rather re-arrange the word order to obtain the desired clarity.

Regards,

[PhiloBedo]

Studies show that reading, often improves memory.
The house that got a new roof, recently was sold.

Studies show that reading often, improves memory.
The house that got a new roof recently, was sold.

[rightwingcrazy]

We should embrace braces.

“Studies show that {reading often} improves memory.”

“Studies show that reading {often improves} memory.”

You’re welcome!

[Tired of Taxes]

Many years ago, we were taught to write the adverb last: “The house that got a new roof was sold recently.”

[William Tell]

Studies show that reading, often improves memory.
The house that got a new roof, recently was sold.

Studies show that reading often, improves memory.
The house that got a new roof recently, was sold.

Thank you for posting this.

I recall from my high-school grammar class that commas can be used to indicate places where a person would naturally pause.

If one reads your example sentences aloud, one notices that the placement of the comma not only changes the meaning but also changes the cadence of the speech.

There might be examples where a comma is used to indicate a pause other than those containing squinting adverbs.