Limiting modifiers. Be especially careful with the placement of limiting modifiers such as almost, even, just, merely, and only. 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.
AMBIGUOUS | The court only hears civil cases on Tuesdays. |
CLEAR | The court hears only civil cases on Tuesdays. |
CLEAR | The court hears civil cases on Tuesdays only. |