Put modifying words close to the word they modify.

Misplaced words and phrases create confusion. Consider the sentence: A judge who falls asleep often is not suited for the bench. Does it mean that a judge is not suited for the bench if he or she often falls asleep? Or does it mean that a judge who falls asleep may not always be suited for the bench—leaving open the possibility that our sleepy judge might sometimes be suited for the bench.

Only is also misleading if it is not placed next to the word it modifies. For example, Only Paul brought his books means that nobody but Paul brought books. Paul only brought his books means that Paul brought his books but didn’t do anything else with them—such as read them. And Paul brought only his books means that Paul didn’t bring anything but his books.