1. Misplaced Modifiers

2. Misplaced Modifiers
Modifiers must always be so placed that there will be no uncertainty about the words they modify.
A modifier should, in general, stand as close as possible to the word that it modifies.

3. Modifiers should stand as close as possible to the words they modify.
INCORRECT: They argued the subject while I tried to study at fever pitch.
What does at fever pitch modify?
(how they argued)
Therefore, it needs to be moved closer to argued.
CORRECT: They argued the subject at fever pitch while I tried to study.
ALSO CORRECT: At fever pitch, they argued the subject while I tried to study.

4. Relative Clauses
A relative clause—that is, a clause introduced by a relative pronoun—should normally follow the word that it modifies.
INCORRECT: A piece was played at the concert that was composed of dissonant chords.
(The relative clause that was composed of dissonant chords seems to modify concert, but that makes no sense.)
CORRECT: A piece that was composed of dissonant chords was played at the concert.

5. Ambiguous Modifiers
When a modifier is placed between two elements so that it may be taken to modify either element, it is ambiguous.
The girl who had been dancing gracefully entered the room.
Was the girl dancing gracefully, or did she enter the room gracefully? There’s no way to tell! Change the placement of the modifier gracefully so that its meaning is clear.
The girl who had been gracefully dancing entered the room.
The girl who had been dancing entered the room gracefully.

6. Misplaced Words like Only, Nearly, and Almost
Normally, these words should directly precede the word they modify.
Consider, for example, the different meanings that result in the following sentences when the word only is shifted:
Only I heard John shouting at the boys.
[Only modifies I. Meaning: I was the only one who heard John shouting.]
I only heard John shouting at the boys.
[Only modifies heard. Meaning: I heard but didn’t see John shouting.]

7. Misplaced Words like Only, Nearly, and Almost
I heard only John shouting at the boys.
[Only modifies John. Meaning: John was the only one whom I heard shouting.]
I heard John only shouting at the boys.
[Only modifies shouting. Meaning: I didn’t hear John hitting the boys—I didn’t hear him shouting.]
I heard John shouting at only the boys.
[Only modifies boys. Meaning: The boys were the only ones I heard John shouting at—not the girls.]

8. Misplaced Words like Only, Nearly, and Almost
ILLOGICAL: The baby only cried until he was six months old.
CORRECT: The baby cried only until he was six months old.
ILLOGICAL: Since his earnings amounted to $97, he nearly made a hundred dollars.
CORRECT: Since his earnings amounted to $97, he made nearly a hundred dollars.
ILLOGICAL: At the recent track meet Ralph almost jumped six feet.
CORRECT: At the recent track meet Ralph jumped almost six feet.

9. Split Infinitives
A split infinitive is a construction in which the sign of the infinitive to has been separated from the verb with which it is associated.
To vigorously deny and to instantly be killed are split infinitives.
Split infinitives should usually be avoided.
AWKWARD: He always tries to efficiently and promptly do his work.
CORRECT: He always tries to do his work efficiently and promptly.

10. Split Infinitives
Sometimes a split infinitive is allowed for the sake of clarity or emphasis.
CORRECT: We expect to more than double our sales in April. [Placing the modifiers more than anywhere else in this sentence would result in ambiguity or changed meaning.]