Page 814 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

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

Next, look at the following examples of illogical modifier placements

and corrections:

While watching the football game, Kyle almost ate a whole pizza.

If he almost ate it, he thought about eating it but never actually took a

bite. The writer more likely means something like “Kyle ate eight of the

ten pieces.”

While watching the football game, Kyle ate almost a whole pizza.

Cara nearly spent a hundred dollars at the mall.

If she nearly spent a hundred dollars, she thought about it but decided

to keep her money. A more probable meaning is shown below.

Cara spent nearly a hundred dollars at the mall.

Though she received many toys for Christmas, Amber only

played with her teddy bear.

If she played with the bear and nothing else, then she played with only

her teddy bear. “Amber only” can mean “no one but Amber.”

Though she received many toys for Christmas, Amber played

with only her teddy bear.