The proximity rule states that a modifier should be placed as close as possible to the word or phrase it describes. This adjacency ensures logical meaning and prevents ambiguity. When answering SAT questions, prefer placements that keep the modifier immediately adjacent to its intended target while maintaining concision.

Punctuation signals whether a modifier is essential (restrictive) or nonessential. Commas set off nonessential information that can be removed without changing core meaning, while missing commas can incorrectly mark essential information. For example, 'The students who practiced daily improved' implies only some students, whereas 'The students, who practiced daily, improved' implies all students did.

On the SAT, 'that' introduces essential (restrictive) clauses that define the noun and require no commas, while 'which' introduces nonessential (nonrestrictive) clauses that add extra information and require commas. Choosing correctly affects both meaning and punctuation accuracy. The SAT often tests whether you can distinguish when information is defining versus additional.

A squinting modifier is an adverb positioned ambiguously in the middle of a sentence, potentially modifying either the words before or after it. For instance, 'Students who read quickly often improve' leaves unclear whether 'quickly' describes 'read' or 'improve.' The fix is repositioning the adverb or adding punctuation to make the intended target clear.

Apply this checklist: First, identify the target by underlining what the modifier should describe. Second, check adjacency to ensure the modifier is as close as possible to its target. Third, test the logic by asking if the sentence implies an impossible actor or action. Fourth, choose the cleanest fix that moves or trims rather than bloats the sentence.

Noun modifiers describe specific people, places, or things and must attach clearly to a particular noun. Clause modifiers describe entire actions, ideas, or sentences and include sentence adverbs like 'fortunately' or absolute phrases. Ask: does this phrase describe an object or an action? If it's an object, place it adjacent to that noun; if it explains or comments on an action, position it to modify the whole clause.