Page 180 - Perfect English Grammar: The Indispensable Guide to Excellent Writing and Speaking
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17.11 Misplaced Modifiers
A misplaced modifier isn’t where it should be. It leaves room for
misunderstanding. Avoid misplaced modifiers by keeping in mind what modifies
what, especially when clauses and not just single words are involved.
■ Bad: A second head grew in my dream on my shoulders.
■ Good: In my dream a second head grew on my shoulders.
■ Bad: The worn-out soldier’s rucksack spilled its contents.
■ Good: The soldier’s worn-out rucksack spilled its contents.
In the second example, the bad sentence could be good if we actually meant
that the soldier was worn out, and not the rucksack.
Only is a word you need to be careful with. Because it can modify so many
other parts of speech, its location in a clause or sentence directly affects the
meaning of sentences.
■ We’re only buying books today. = Buying books is the only thing we’re
doing today.
■ We’re buying only books today. = Books are the only thing we’re
buying today.
■ We’re buying books only today. = Today is the only day we’re buying
books.
Even with the correct placement of only, there is still a lot of room for
misunderstanding. For example, many people would hear or read the first two
examples above and assume they have the same meaning. They can have the
same meaning, but it depends on what else is being said or done before those
sentences are uttered.
Also see section 11.1, Adjective Order.
17.12 On Accident versus By Accident
