Where "only" should be used in a sentence.

Strictly speaking, only the first one is correct.

Anonymous Which is correct?I have only five days remaining.I only have five days remaining.

Both are correct. only tends to "float to the left". So "I only have [number]" is a common pattern.

CJ

CalifJimonly tends to "float to the left".

For no logical reason, to be sure.

Aspara GusFor no logical reason, to be sure.

So true. And yet there's no logical reason for much of language. Why shouldn't we put the direct object before the verb instead of after it? There are other languages that do it that way. No logical reason. I wish I had a nickel for every arbitrary practice we can find in language.

Teachers please judge my analysis, mostly my feelings!:

I guess when we use only after the verb and before the noun we are trying to mention that the ONLY is important! PAY ATTENTION! And when I hear, mostly read (!

RJI guess when we use only after the verb and before the noun

Insofar as I can understand what you've said, I agree. I would express it differently, though.

"only" before the verb is the unmarked or neutral form. Placing it directly before the constituent it restricts puts greater focus on that constituent. It calls attention to the restriction imp

CalifJimInsofar as I can understand

Dear Jim, I haven't heard "insofar", so I had problem to understand you sentence. Does that means you partly understand my sayings? Or partly agree with them?
And thank you for your reply.

RJinsofar

Wrong word. I meant to write "So far as I can understand". That means that I didn't understand all of what you wrote.

CJ

Thank you dear CJ. I wanted to ask you more about "insofar", but I just posted a question about "insofar" in a separate post. I guess that would be better.