Question

1998 2 The level of pollution can only be reduced by the introduction of new laws. The level of pollution can [[only be reduced]] by the introduction of new laws. be reduced only To avoid confusion in written English, only is usually placed as near as possible to the word or phrase that it modifies. Compare: 'Alison only posted the letter to Mr Jones.' (= she didn't write it) 'Alison posted only the letter to Mr Jones.' (= she didn't post the other letters)In spoken English the position of only is less important because the speaker uses stress to make the meaning clear.

Accepted Answer

only ✗ The level of pollution can be reduced only by the introduction of new laws. The level of pollution can [[be reduced only]] by the introduction of new laws. only be reduced | be reduced only

Idx	1998
Keyword	only
Sub Entry Number	2
Type of Sentence	✗
Error Sentence	The level of pollution can only be reduced by the introduction of new laws.
Correct Sentence	The level of pollution can be reduced only by the introduction of new laws.
Cloze Error Sentence	The level of pollution can [[only be reduced]] by the introduction of new laws.
Cloze Sentence	The level of pollution can [[be reduced only]] by the introduction of new laws.
Cloze Answer	be reduced only
Choices	only be reduced \| be reduced only
Explanation	To avoid confusion in written English, only is usually placed as near as possible to the word or phrase that it modifies. Compare: 'Alison only posted the letter to Mr Jones.' (= she didn't write it) 'Alison posted only the letter to Mr Jones.' (= she didn't post the other letters) In spoken English the position of only is less important because the speaker uses stress to make the meaning clear.

Reduced Level Pollution Introduction Laws Alison Posted Letter