Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a misplaced modifier?

A misplaced modifier occurs when a descriptive word or phrase is positioned awkwardly in a sentence, leading to confusion about what is being modified. The defining feature of a misplaced modifier is that it fails to clearly associate with the noun it is meant to modify, which may result in a sentence that can alter its intended meaning, create humor, or convey an unintended idea.

The correct answer indicates that a misplaced modifier is not clearly associated with the noun it modifies, which is precisely what qualifies it as "misplaced." Therefore, the characteristic that specifies an association with the noun contradicts the nature of a misplaced modifier. This is crucial to understanding how modifiers function within sentences and emphasizes the importance of correct positioning for clarity. When modifiers are placed correctly, they enhance the sentence's meaning rather than obscure it.