Modifiers of nouns shouldbe placed either immediately before or immediately after the noun. If anotherphrase is allowed to separate the noun and itsmodifier, the modifier may be misinterpreted as applying to a noun in theseparating phrase rather than to the original noun.
More than 750 metric tons of lead ingots were examined by the qualitycontrol inspectors that circle the base of the tower. [The ingots, notthe quality control inspectors, circle the base of the tower.]
More than 750 metric tons of lead ingots that circle the base of the towerwere examined by the quality control inspectors.
The quality control inspectors examined more than 750 metric tons of leadingots that circle the base of the tower.
Copyright ©2001 The McGraw-Hill Companies. Any use is subject to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. McGraw-Hill Higher Education is one of the many fine businesses of
The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc..