I have these two sentences:
The family of Johnsons in 1980 are heartbroken. They, like all families around them, appear to have given up.
When I read it, a lot of things are wrong and awkward about this sentence.
My question: Is “of Johnsons” a misplaced modifier?
Also, given that the two sentences have to remain consistently in either third person singular or third person plural and family, in this case, is singular, so which one would make more sense?
Answer
In answer to your first question: No
Searching for the definition of misplaced modifier on Google leads to the following:
a phrase or clause placed awkwardly in a sentence so that it appears to modify or refer to an unintended word
Similarly, a search on Purdue leads to the following definition:
Misplaced modifiers occur when the subject of the modifier is unclear because the modifier is poorly placed
In this case, the phrase “of Johnsons” clearly modifies the phrase “The family”. This leads to the following correct interpretation that the family is composed of Johnsons. So the phrase “of Johnsons” isn’t misplaced in the strict definition.
In answer to your second question, the usage is fine. This is because the sentence is about a family of Johnsons. The word “They” refers to that plurality.
Edit:
The word “They” actually refers to the fact that a family is composed out of several individuals (hence the plurality). Thanks Kris for pointing that out.
Attribution
Source : Link , Question Author : Cuiboy , Answer Author : Max Wang
