Misplaced modifiers cause confusion because they are not close enough to the words they modify or because they seem to modify more than one thing.

The editing repositions the modifier clearly next to the word lecturing, which the writer wants to describe.

Phrases should usually be placed right before or after the words they modify.

The voodoo is not at the college; the seminar is.

People cannot billow from windows.

Although you have some flexibility in the placement of dependent clauses, try to position them close to what they modify.

The unedited sentence implies that Nixon planned to lose the race.

Limiting modifiers

Be especially careful with the placement of limiting modifiers such as almost, even, hardly, just, merely, nearly, only, scarcely, and simply. In general, these modifiers should be placed right before or after the words they modify. Putting them in other positions may produce not just ambiguity but a completely different meaning.

In the first sentence, placing only before hears makes the meaning ambiguous. The revised versions clarify the meaning.

The original sentence suggests the money was almost spent; moving almost makes clear that the amount spent was almost $20 million.

Squinting modifiers

If a modifier can refer to either the word before it or the word after it, it is a squinting modifier. Put the modifier where it clearly relates to only a single word in the sentence.

Does the writer mean that students often benefit from practice or that they benefit from practicing often?

Quick Help: Editing for misplaced or dangling modifiers