INVERSION
- EXPLANATION
We invert the subject and auxiliary verb in the sentence
to give emphasis. This happens:
- After certain expressions when they are at the beginning of a sentence.
Seldom
|
In / Under no circumstances
|
Rarely
|
Never
|
Scarcely (ever)… when
|
Nowhere
|
Hardly (ever)… when
|
Never before
|
No sooner… than
|
Not only… but also
|
On no occasion
|
In no way
|
Nor / Neither
|
Not even once
|
On no account
|
Only in this way
|
Little
|
Barely
|
Rarely do we see him these days.
No sooner had we got into the house than he phoned us.
- When the following expressions begin a sentence, we use inversion in the main clause.
Only after, only by, only if, only when, not till /
until, not since.
Only after he had graduated, did he start looking for a
job.
Only if you invite her, will she come to your party.
Not until all tests had been completed, were we told the
results.
- After so, such, to such a degree (in result clauses) when they are at the beginning of a sentence.
So careful is he that he never makes any mistakes.
Such a brilliant student was he that he was offered a
scholarship.
- With should, were, had in conditionals at the beginning of the sentence when “if” is omitted.
Type 1: Should you see him, tell him to call me. (= If
you should see him…)
Type 2: Were I you, I would cancel my trip. (= If I
were you…)
Type 3: Had he known, he would have made arrangements.
(= If he had known…)
- After so, neither / nor, as when expressing agreement.
“I hate horror films.” “So do I.” (“So” is used to agree with an affirmative statement.)
“Jane hasn’t returned our calls.” “Neither / Nor has her
husband.” (“Neither / Nor” are used to agree
with a negative statement).
His colleagues respected him as did his boss.
The subject and the main verb are also usually inverted
in the following structures:
- After adverbs of place or time
Here comes the bride!
Away ran the thief!
- In Direct speech when the reporting verb comes after the quote and the subject is a noun.
“I’ve never seen him,” said Helen
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