What is an example of a misplaced modifier?

A misplaced modifier occurs when a descriptive word, phrase, or clause is not placed correctly in relation to the word it is meant to modify, leading to confusion or ambiguity in meaning. In the provided options, the statement "The investigator tested the participants who were using this procedure" contains a misplaced modifier because it implies that only the participants using the procedure were tested, rather than indicating that all participants were tested using this procedure. This construction can mislead the reader into thinking that some participants were left out, which might not be the intended meaning of the sentence.

The other options present clearer constructs where the modifiers are positioned appropriately, making the intentions of the sentences unambiguous. The context of how each option presents the information about the participants and the investigator helps maintain clarity and avoids confusion regarding who is performing the action and in what manner.