Our third of six rules: don't misplace modifiers.

3. Place modifiers (words or phrases that describe, limit, or qualify) as close as possible to the word or words they describe.

• Place adverbs such as almost, even, hardly, just, merely, only, and nearly after the verb, not before.
  Not: I only have two dollars. (You own nothing else in the entire world except two dollars?!)
  But: I have only two dollars. (The amount of money that you have is only two dollars.)
  
  Not: I almost read half the book. (You didn't read the book at all; but you almost did?!)
  But: I read almost half the book. (Almost describes the amount of the book you did read.)
• Place modifying phrases, such as prepositional phrases, immediately before or after the words they describe.
  Not: The chairman told the board members that he would review their proposals in his latest memo. (He was going to use the memo to discuss their proposals?!)
  But: In his latest memo, the chairman told the board members he would review their proposals.
• Place modifying clauses immediately after the words they describe.
  Not: They bought a new copier for their company that was guaranteed for twenty years. (The company was guaranteed for twenty years?!)
  But: They bought a new copier that was guaranteed for twenty years for their company.
• Be certain to place your modifiers so that they describe the word you intend to describe. Do not place them so that they could describe two different words.
  Not: Pressing the SAVE key often gives writers a sense of security. (Does often modify pressing or gives?!)
  But: For a sense of security, press the SAVE key often.

To comment on this topic, visit our Business Writing Tips Forum.

This edition was adapted from our Business Grammar Program.

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