Rule

A modifier such as almost or only must be placed right before the word it modifies, because its position changes the meaning.

Question

Choose the sentence that correctly says she drove for slightly less than two hours.

Options

• (A) She almost drove for two hours every day.
• (B) Almost she drove for two hours every day.
• (C) She drove two almost hours every day.
• (D) She drove for almost two hours every day.

Answer

(D) She drove for almost two hours every day.

Solution

1. Almost should modify the amount of time, two hours.
2. In option D, almost comes right before two hours, so it means a little under two hours.
3. In option A, almost modifies drove, which suggests she nearly drove but did not.
4. Options B and C place almost where it cannot sensibly modify anything.