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Proactive disclosure Print version   | |  GSC Guide to Authors Adverbs
Grammar Place adverbs so that there is no doubt which word or words they modify. Adverbs are usually placed immediately before or after verbs, and before adjectives and other adverbs that they modify. Take special care with the adverbs only, merely, just, almost, ever, hardly, scarcely, and nearly. Depending on the meaning write:
Only visiting scientists may remove Dynamosaurus bones from the area.
or Visiting scientists may remove only Dynamosaurus bones from the area. Resist the temptation to use very too frequently. Use quite only in its proper sense of 'completely'. Related words and phrases should be kept together. Some writers misplace adverbs and adverbial phrases, especially the adverbs only, principally, mainly, chiefly, alone, also, and too. Note the following sentences:
Their presence can be determined only by tests.
not Their presence can only be determined by tests. The sediments were derived principally from quartzite. not The sediments were principally derived from quartzite.
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