The Final Free Modifier

Often interpreted as a sign of a "mature writing style," the final free modifier (aka the cumulative sentence or the 'loose' sentence) can lend a certain gracefulness to a text, but like any style, its use is not without its challenges. When using a final free modifier, internal logic, balance, parallelism, cohesiveness, and grammatical sense is essential.

For a fascinating study and discussion of the final free modifier, its use, and its risks, see Wolk. A. (1970) The relative importance of the final free modifier: a quantitative analysis. Research in the Teaching of English, Vol. 4, No. 1 (Spring, 1970), pp. 59-68.

Further, while this complex style can be effective in moderation, overuse can compromise a texts clarity sense of purpose. Used well, however, the final free modifier can lend a unique and effective style to a text. A few examples:

Example #1

The teacher considered him a good student, steady if not inspired, willing if not eager, responsive to instruction and conscientious about his work.


Example #2

Bells rang, filling the air with their clangor, startling pigeons into flight from every belfry, bringing people into the streets to hear the news.


Example #3

Lily is a woman of powerful emotions, driven by a fear of dinginess and shaken by the love she feels for a poor man.


Example #4

I am willing to pay slightly higher taxes for the privilege of living in Canada, considering the free health care, the cheap tuition fees, the low crime rate, the comprehensive social programs, and the wonderful winters.