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Shupkay Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Where should this modifier be placed?

In the sentence I only refer to credible sources the word only mistakenly modifies refer, rather than the obviously intended credible sources.

So where exactly should only be placed?

I refer only to credible sources.

or

I refer to only credible sources.

I have noticed that in such sentences that placing the modifier after the preposition can create confusion (I can't for the life of me summon an example right now), so I've decided to ask here.
  

Top answer

This seems the most unremarkable to me : I refer only to credible sources. You are right that if you think too much about it, confusion can occur, but most people read the right idea even if it seems grammatically misplaced.

— Mister Micawber

  • This seems the most unremarkable to me : I refer only to credible sources.
  • You are right that if you think too much about it, confusion can occur, but most people read the right idea even if it seems grammatically misplaced.
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5 Answers
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This seems the most unremarkable to me:

I refer only to credible sources.

You are right that if you think too much about it, confusion can occur, but most people read the right idea even if it seems grammatically misplaced.
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Mister MicawberYou are right that if you think too much about it, confusion can occur, but most people read the right idea even if it seems grammatically misplaced.
I agree. Pedants sometimes complain about the ambiguity caused by the 'incorrect' position of only, but few people observe the rules, even in quite formal writing, and almost nobody is confu
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Mister Micawber and fivejedjon are never wrong. Still, I feel I should add that you should nevertheless try to place "only" such that it conveys the meaning you intend, if only to avoid having it convey a meaning you don't intend. Your example "I only refer to credible sources" is the way 99% of us would write it without thinking, and everybody knows what you mean, but "I refer to credible sources
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shupkayIn the sentence I only refer to credible sources the word only mistakenly modifies refer, rather than the obviously intended credible sources.So where exactly should only be placed?
It's fine where it is. "Only" in your example modifies the entire verb phrase "refer to credible sources", not just "refer".

BillJ
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Aha! I only refer to credible sources; I do not create them myself.
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