16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardMisplaced modifier: adverb placement

Standard English Conventions practice question

The auditors found ____

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. only two errors in the accounts, both in the final quarter.Correct
  2. B. two errors only in the accounts, both in the final quarter.
  3. C. two only errors in the accounts, both in the final quarter.
  4. D. two errors in the only accounts, both in the final quarter.

Answer: A. only two errors in the accounts, both in the final quarter.

'Only' modifies 'two errors' and sits directly before it.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. two errors only in the accounts, both in the final quarter.
'Only in the accounts' shifts the meaning to where the errors were found.
C. two only errors in the accounts, both in the final quarter.
'Two only errors' is not standard word order.
D. two errors in the only accounts, both in the final quarter.
'The only accounts' changes the meaning to there being no other accounts.

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