Inversion - Practice

The term INVERSION covers two different grammatical operations: a. using a question form of the main verb Not only did he fail to report the accident, but also later denied that he had been driving the car. Never have I enjoyed myself more! b. Changing the normal position of verb and subject Here comes Freddy. Up into the air went the balloon.

a. using a question form of the main verb

- If a negative adverb (or adverbial phrase) is put at the beginning of a clause for EMPHASIS, it is usually followed by auxiliary verb + subject.  

Under no circumstances can we cash cheques.

At no time was the President aware of what was happening.

Not until much later did she learn who her real father was.

The same structure is possible after a complete clause beginning with not until…

Not until he received the letter did he fully understand the depth of her feelings.

- Inversion is also used after restrictive words like: hardly, seldom, rarely, little and never and after expressions containing only.

Hardly had I arrived when trouble started.

Seldom have I seen such a remarkable creature.

Little did he realise the danger he faced.

Never was so much owed by so many to so few. (W. Churchill)

Only then did I understand what she meant.

Only after her death was I able to appreciate her.

Only seven minutes does Captain Moore need to show us the amount of plastic that is flooding the ocean.

Not only did we lose our money, but we were nearly killed.

- Inversion is not used after non-emphatic adverbial expressions of place and time.

Not far from here you can see the foxes.

b. Changing the normal position of verb and subject

Under a tree was lying one of the biggest men I had ever seen.

On the grass sat an enormous frog.

Directly in front of them stood a great castle.

Along the road came a strange procession.

There goes your brother.

I stopped a car and up walked a policeman.

Practice

Choose the most suitable words underlined.

1. John promised that he would never / never would he tell anyone else.
2. Not until it was too late I remembered / did I remember to call Richard.
3. Hardly had we settled down in our seats than / when the lights went out.
4. Only after checking three times I was / was I certain of the answer.
5. At no time I was aware /was I aware of anything out of the usual.
6. Only Mary and Carol passed / did pass the final exam.
7. So the waves were high / high were the waves that swimming was dangerous.
8. No sooner had it stopped raining than / when the sun came out.

Rewrite each sentence so that it contains the word or words in capitals, and so that the meaning stays the same.

1. The money is not to be paid under any circumstances.

NO

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

2. Hardly had the ship left port, when a violent storm developed.

SOON AFTER

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

3. The accused never expressed regret for what he had done.

AT NO TIME

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. As soon as I got into the bath, someone knocked at the door.

NO SOONER

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5. You won’t be allowed in until your identity has been checked.

ONLY

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………