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Inversion 2

The document explains the concept of inversion in grammar, detailing its two main operations: using a question form of the main verb and changing the normal position of the verb and subject. It discusses the use of inversion with negative adverbials, time expressions, and phrases containing 'little' or 'no/not'. Additionally, it covers inverted conditional sentences that can be formed without 'if' for a more formal tone.

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Mariana Garri
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6 views8 pages

Inversion 2

The document explains the concept of inversion in grammar, detailing its two main operations: using a question form of the main verb and changing the normal position of the verb and subject. It discusses the use of inversion with negative adverbials, time expressions, and phrases containing 'little' or 'no/not'. Additionally, it covers inverted conditional sentences that can be formed without 'if' for a more formal tone.

Uploaded by

Mariana Garri
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

INVERSION

OF ORDER
Inversion covers two different grammatical operations.
■ Using a question form of the main verb.
Never have I enjoyed myself more!
■ Changing the normal position of verb and subject.
Along the street came a strange man.

Inversion and negative adverbials


■ This only occurs when the adverbial is placed at the beginning of a
clause.
■ Not usual in everyday spoken language.

Never have I heard a weaker excuse!


I have never heard a weaker excuse!
Time expressions:
never, rarely, seldom
■ Commonly used with present perfect or
past perfect, or with modals such as can
and could.
■ Often contain comparatives.

Rearly can a minister have been faced with


such a problem.
Seldom has the team given a worse
performance.
Rarely had I had so much responsibility
Time expressions: hardly, barely,
scarcely, no sooner
■ These refer to an event which quickly follows another in the past.
■ Usually used with past perfect.
■ No sooner can be followed by past simple.
■ Hardly, scarcely, barely + when.
■ No sooner + than.

Hardly had the train left the station, when there was an explosion.
Scarcely had I entered the room when the phone rang.
No sooner had I reached the door than I realized it was locked.
After only
■ Only combines with other time
expressions and is usually used in the
past simple.

Only after posting the letter did I


remember that I had forgotten to put on a
stamp

■ Only after – Only by – Only if – Only in


this way – Only then – Only when
Phrases containing Little
no/not
■ These include under no circumstances, Little does the government
on no account, at no time, in no way, on appreciate what the results
no condition, not until, not only … but will be.
also.

On no condition are they to open fire


without a warning.
Not until I got home did I notice that I had
the wrong umbrella.
So + adjective + that
■ This occurs with so and adjectives when
the main verb is be.

So devastating were the floods that some


areas may never recover.

■ Such used with be means much/so great

Such was the force of the storm that the


trees were uprooted.
Inverted conditional sentences
without if
■ Three types on if-sentences can be inverted without if-. This makes
sentences more formal

If they were to escape, there would be an outcry.


Were they to escape, there would be an outcry.
If you should hear anything, let me know.
Should you hear anything, let me know.
If I had known, I would have protested strongly.
Had I known, I would have protested strongly.

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