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19 Apr 2020, 00:47
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I have been reading that "only" should be placed as close as possible to what it modifies. Can it be placed on either side of what it modifies or does it need to be placed right BEFORE what it modifies?
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19 Apr 2020, 02:22
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bitorbyte - Incorrect usage of the modifier 'only' leads to misplaced modifier error, often resulting in a change in meaning of the sentence. In everyday speech, people tend to place 'only' in the wrong place in a sentence. 'Only' can modify noun, verb, or phrase, and must typically be placed right next to the modified entity.
Rules:
1. Use 'only' in front of a subject to modify the subject.
E.g. "Only I like dancing at a party". In this sentence, "only" is modifying the subject "I". You are saying that you ("I") are the only person who likes to dance at a party.
2. Use 'only' before the verb in a sentence to modify the verb.
E.g. "I only like dancing at a party". In this sentence, "only" is modifying the verb "like". This sentence is saying that "I" is doing nothing other than liking dancing at a party.
3. Place 'only' in front of the ending phrase in a sentence to modify the phrase.
E.g. "I like dancing only at a party". In this example, "only" is modifying "at a party".
Rules:
1. Use 'only' in front of a subject to modify the subject.
E.g. "Only I like dancing at a party". In this sentence, "only" is modifying the subject "I". You are saying that you ("I") are the only person who likes to dance at a party.
2. Use 'only' before the verb in a sentence to modify the verb.
E.g. "I only like dancing at a party". In this sentence, "only" is modifying the verb "like". This sentence is saying that "I" is doing nothing other than liking dancing at a party.
3. Place 'only' in front of the ending phrase in a sentence to modify the phrase.
E.g. "I like dancing only at a party". In this example, "only" is modifying "at a party".
19 Apr 2020, 03:44
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Thanks DisciplinedPrep
Thank you for your reply. I thought so too. However, I was going through this problem (https://gmatclub.com/forum/over-the-pas ... 68565.html) and the official explanation made me question that assumption. For example, the official explanation for option B is:
OPTION B: second in importance to soybeans only as a source of vegetable oil
"The placement of only creates an ambiguity: does it modify soybeans or the phrase as a source of vegetable oil? In the latter case, the sense would be that being a source of vegetable oil is the only respect in which soybeans are more important than sunflower seeds. However, this does not seem to be the intended sense of the given sentence. The phrase in importance is unnecessary and would make the sentence wordy."
I though 'only' unambiguously modify the phrase 'as a source of vegetable oil' as you wrote. I know this question can be answered by other issues but this explanation made me think whether my assumption regarding what 'only' can modify is correct.
Thank you for your reply. I thought so too. However, I was going through this problem (https://gmatclub.com/forum/over-the-pas ... 68565.html) and the official explanation made me question that assumption. For example, the official explanation for option B is:
OPTION B: second in importance to soybeans only as a source of vegetable oil
"The placement of only creates an ambiguity: does it modify soybeans or the phrase as a source of vegetable oil? In the latter case, the sense would be that being a source of vegetable oil is the only respect in which soybeans are more important than sunflower seeds. However, this does not seem to be the intended sense of the given sentence. The phrase in importance is unnecessary and would make the sentence wordy."
I though 'only' unambiguously modify the phrase 'as a source of vegetable oil' as you wrote. I know this question can be answered by other issues but this explanation made me think whether my assumption regarding what 'only' can modify is correct.
