ADVANCED STRUCTURES
SO / SUCH
We can use ‘SO + ADJECTIVE/ADVERB’, then we invert the normal subject and auxiliary verb, and finally we use ‘THAT’ to
emphasise how strongly something’s description affected us and what the consequence was. We can do the same thing with a
noun using such.
NORMAL SENTENCE ORDER INVERTED SENTENCE
so + adjective + inversion (BE/AUX Verb) + that + consequence
He was so handsome that she... So handsome was he that she fell in love with him immediately.
The wind was so strong that we... So strong was the wind that we couldn't open the window.
She looked so ridiculous that... So ridiculous did she look that everybody burst out laughing.
NORMAL SENTENCE ORDER so + adjective +a/an + noun + inversion + that + consequence
He was so handsome a man that ... So handsome a man was he that she fell in love with him immediately.
NORMAL SENTENCE ORDER so + adverb + inversion + that + consequence
He played the tune so badly that ... So badly did he play the tune that nobody recognised it.
He ran so quickly that the others... So quickly did he run that the others couldn't catch up with him.
NORMAL SENTENCE ORDER Inversion (SUCH+ BE) + (noun) + that + consequence
The wind was such that we ... Such was the wind that we couldn't open the window.
The demand for nurses is such that... Such is the demand for nurses that many employers offer...
NORMAL SENTENCE ORDER (adjective) Inversion (SUCH+ BE)+ (noun) + that + consequence
He was so strong that he could ... Such was his strength that he could bend iron bars.
NORMAL SENTENCE ORDER such + a/an + adjective + noun + inversion + that + consequence
He was such a good teacher that we... Such a good teacher was he that we all passed the exam.
AS + inversion
In formal written language, we commonly use inversion after AS and THAN in comparisons.
NORMAL SENTENCE ORDER INVERTED SENTENCE
As + auxiliary verb + inversion
Italy produces many excellent wines, and Spain does too. Italy produces many excellent wines, as does Spain.
She was very religious, and most of her friends were too. She was very religious, as were most of her friends.
Note - there is no inversion when the subjects of the two clauses are the same:
Denmark has won this year's 'happiest country' award. It wins it every year.
Denmark has won this year's 'happiest country' award, as it does every year.
THAN + inversion
We can use inversion to compare two subjects. When we do this, the auxiliary verb ("do") comes after the word "than."
NORMAL SENTENCE ORDER INVERTED SENTENCE
than + auxiliary verb “do”
City dwellers have a higher death rate than
country people do.
City dwellers have a higher death rate than do country people.
She speaks English better than her brother (does). She speaks English better than does her brother.
Note - we don’t invert subject and verb after as or than when the subject is a pronoun.
We know a lot more about the universe than we did ten years ago. (Not ... than did we ten years ago.)