INVERSION
Exercise 1: Rewrite each of the sentences below, using the words given in the brackets, so that
the meaning of each one has an emphasis.
1. My brother went off without saying a word. (OFF)
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2. Her toys were along the corridor. (Along the corridor).
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3. The castle stands on a hill. (On a hill)
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4. Your chance to speak out is now. (Now)
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5. We have seldom fished so much here. (Seldom)
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6. They are in no way responsible for what occurred last night. (In no way)
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7. You should not on any account take these pills when you drink alcohol. (On no account)
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8. She not once offered us help her. (Not once)
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9. I did not become aware of what was going on until I saw her weeping. (Not until)
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10. He went off without saying a word. (Off)
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11. We little realized the dangers that were awaiting us. (Little)
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12. He was so tired that he slept for 14 hours. (So tired)
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13. My delight was such that I bought everybody a drink. (Such)
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14. I love him to such an extend that I would even give my life for him. (To such an extend)
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15. They not only supply us with food, but also with drinks. (Not only)
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16. We had no sooner eaten it than we had a terrible stomachache. (No sooner)
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17. I had hardly gone to bed when the telephone rang. (Hardly)
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18. She took him to the zoo and to the cinema as well. (Not only)
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19. The cock crowns as soon as the day breaks. (No sooner)
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20. She agreed to go out with him only when he bought her some flowers. (Only when)
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21. If you should need a good make-up remover, please let me know. (Should)
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22. If I were to win the first prize in the national lottery, I would no longer work. (Were)
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23. If you hadn’t flooded the engine, it would have started at once. (Had you)
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24. If my parents should need me, I will never let them down. (Should)
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25. If I were in your place, I would try to be more assertive. (Were)
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Exercise 2: Finish the second sentence so that the meaning has a similar meaning with an emphasis.
1. You shouldn’t in any way consider him as your worst enemy.
In no way …………………………………………………………………………….
2. You must on no account upset your parents.
On no account …………………………………………………………………………
3. Mr and Mrs Adam live across the bridge.
Across the bridge ………………………………………………………………………
4. I was so scared that I could not even scream.
So scared ……………………………………………………………………………….
5. The horrible view of the massacre was in front of us.
In front of us …………………………………………………………………………..
6. The canyon lies behind those mountains.
Behind those mountains ………………………………………………………………..
7. He only then became aware of the dangers of the jungle.
Only then ………………………………………………………………………………
8. She had scarcely begun to study when her boyfriend rang the bell.
Scarcely ……………………………………………………………………………….
9. I won’t go trekking with him.
No way ……………………………………………………………………………….
10. My terror was such that I couldn’t move.
Such ……………………………………………………………………………………
11. I had no sooner switched on the dishwasher than it broke down.
No sooner ……………………………………………………………………………….
12. As soon as he saw her, he fell in love with her.
No sooner ……………………………………………………………………………….
13. If we had known that you were interested in buying the block of flats, we would have sold it to you.
Had ………………………………………………………………………………………
14. Your mother went down the road.
Down the road …………………………………………………………………………
15. She went down the road.
Down the road …………………………………………………………………………..
16. This disease is common only in hot countries.
Only in hot countries ……………………………………………………………………
17. You will never again have such an opportunity.
Never again ………………………………………………………………………………
18. We not only wrote to her many times, but telephone her twice, too.
Not only …………………………………………………………………………………..
19. Immediately he learnt about his mother’s incurable disease, he cried his eyes out.
No sooner ………………………………………………………………………………..
20. We have both put aside some money and stocked up with a lot of groceries from the shop next
door.
Not only …………………………………………………………………………………..
21. I did not use suntan lotion, either.
Neither …………………………………………………………………………………….
22. The wood pigeon flew up.
Up …………………………………………………………………………………………
23. If you should increase our wages, we will work overtime.
Should …………………………………………………………………………………….
24. She had hardly taken everything out of the picnic basket when it began to rain.
Hardly …………………………………………………………………………………….
25. If you were to buy a new car, which of these would you choose?
Were ……………………………………………………………………………………….
26. You should not press both button at once under any circumstances.
Under no circumstances …………………………………………………………………..
27. Jean not once offered her boss a word of apology.
No once …………………………………………………………………………………….
28. I didn’t realize who he was until later.
Only later …………………………………………………………………………………..
29. He never suspected that the money had been stolen.
At no time …………………………………………………………………………………
30. He insisted on a refund.
Nothing ……………………………………………………………………………………