Splunk® Style Guide

Splunk Style Guide

The guidelines in the Splunk Style Guide establish best practices for writing technical documentation. Search docs.splunk.com to find documentation related to Splunk products.

Misplaced modifiers

A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is separated from the word or words it describes. Because of the separation, misplaced modifiers can alter the meaning of the sentence or create ambiguity. Place modifiers directly before the words you intend for them to modify.

The following table shows different meanings of a sentence when the modifier "only" is moved around within it:

Sentence with the modifier "only" What the sentence means
Only the diagnostics test can identify faulty routers. Placing "only" directly before "the diagnostics test" emphasizes that the diagnostics test is the sole method for identifying faulty routers. This sentence implies that no other test is able to identify faulty routers.
The diagnostics test can only identify faulty routers. Placing "only" directly before "identify" restricts the capability of the diagnostics test, indicating that it can identify faulty routers but can't perform any other tests.
The diagnostics test can identify only faulty routers. Placing "only" directly before "faulty routers" specifies the type of routers that the diagnostics test can identify, stating that it is limited to identifying faulty routers and no other kinds of routers.
Last modified on 01 July, 2024
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This documentation applies to the following versions of Splunk® Style Guide: current


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