PERT: Attach descriptions to the people and things they mean

Overview

A modifier describes a noun, action, or another modifier. Editing requires both correct grammatical form and clear attachment. Ask what the descriptive words actually mean, then place them where the reader can connect them to that target. A sentence can contain individually correct words and still make a door carry books or a device read instructions.

The draft Carrying a stack of books, the door was difficult for Elena to open gives the introductory phrase the wrong grammatical subject. The phrase describes Elena, so revise it to Carrying a stack of books, Elena had difficulty opening the door. The noun following the comma now performs carrying. After reading the instructions, Jo assembled the device easily uses the same repair: Jo, not the device, read the instructions. Merely converting the main clause to passive voice does not supply the missing actor.

An inserted or trailing modifier must also attach clearly. If the railing is painted, Sam avoided touching the railing, which was covered in fresh paint connects the description to railing. Covered in fresh paint, Sam avoided touching the railing makes Sam painted instead. The guide showed the visitors a map with a torn corner keeps the damaged corner next to map. Moving the phrase after visitors or guide changes or obscures which object is damaged. Similarly, Maya borrowed the lamp with the broken switch from Chen makes the switch part of the lamp.

Placement of only changes scope. Only visitors who arrive on Tuesday receive a discount restricts the eligible group to Tuesday arrivals. Visitors who arrive on Tuesday receive only a discount instead restricts what they receive. Other placements can make Tuesday seem to describe an exclusive visiting habit or leave the restriction unclear. Read a limiting modifier as an instruction about exactly what is excluded, not as movable decoration.

Adjectives describe nouns and adverbs describe actions. The accurate measurements were recorded carefully gives accurate the noun target measurements and carefully the action target recorded. Handle the fragile bowl carefully uses the same adverb relation. For comparison, the upper path is narrower than the lower path uses one comparative form. More narrower and most narrower duplicate the marking; narrowest is a superlative and does not fit this two-path than construction.

On a new item, name the modifier's target before viewing the choices. Substitute that target into the description to test whether the resulting statement is sensible. Check scope for only and similar words, then check adjective/adverb and comparative forms. Restore the completed sentence and ask whether a reader can identify the same actor, object, and restriction that the context specifies.