According to the World Bank, in 2012, about 12 percent of the world's population lived on only $1.90 per day.

According to the World Bank, in 2012, about 12 percent of the world's population lived on only $1.90 per day.

• A. According to the World Bank, in 2012, about 12 percent of the world's population lived on only $1.90 per day.
• B. According to the World Bank, in 2012, about 12 percent of the world's population lived on $1.90 per day only.
• C. According to the World Bank, in 2012, about 12 percent of the world's population lived on $1.90 per day.
• D. According to the World Bank, in 2012, about 12 percent of the world's population lived on only $1.90 per day, as reported.

Answer: (A)

Placement of only determines what is being limited. Here, the limit is the monetary amount people live on, so only should modify the dollar amount. Saying “lived on only $1.90 per day” makes clear that the restricted figure is $1.90 each day. Putting only after the amount, as in “lived on $1.90 per day only,” sounds awkward and can shift the emphasis or create ambiguity about what’s restricted. Omitting only would remove the sense of limitation entirely, and adding extra words like “as reported” isn’t needed for the core statement. So the version with only directly before the dollar amount is the clearest and most accurate.

Placement of only determines what is being limited. Here, the limit is the monetary amount people live on, so only should modify the dollar amount. Saying “lived on only $1.90 per day” makes clear that the restricted figure is $1.90 each day. Putting only after the amount, as in “lived on $1.90 per day only,” sounds awkward and can shift the emphasis or create ambiguity about what’s restricted. Omitting only would remove the sense of limitation entirely, and adding extra words like “as reported” isn’t needed for the core statement. So the version with only directly before the dollar amount is the clearest and most accurate.