Page 813 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

Single-Word Modifiers

2 Identify and correct misplaced single-word

modifiers.

A misplaced modifier that is a single word may be more difficult to

spot, but the idea is still the same: An error in logic needs to be

corrected.

The words almost, just, nearly, and only are often carelessly

misplaced in sentences. Look at the following example to see the
difference that word placement can make:

Only James tasted the melon. (no one but James)

James only tasted the melon. (only sampled the melon, or

possibly, no one but James)

James tasted only the melon. (nothing but the melon)

James tasted the only melon. (the only melon available)