Emphasis
with Inversion
for C1 ADVANCED
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How to invert
subject + verb
I like to eat chocolate lava cake.
auxillary verb + subject + verb
Do you/I like to eat chocolate
lava cake?
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Formula
Restrictive Words/
Negative Adverbial + Auxillary/Modal verb + Subject
I
never do/does/did
you
rarely have/has/had
he
hardly ever can
she
seldom could
it
hardly will
we
scarcely should
you
no sooner would
they
under no circumstances etc.
on no account
at no time
not until
not only
only + time expression
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Never, rarely, seldom
I never wake up before 7am
Never do I wake up before 7am.
+ auxillary verb
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Never, rarely, seldom
I rarely have a shower at the gym.
Rarely do I have a shower at the gym.
Restrictive adverb + auxillary verb + subject
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Never, rarely, seldom
She seldom speaks over others.
Seldom does she speak over others.
Restrictive adverb + auxillary verb + subject
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Under no circumstances
On no account
You shouldn’t touch the dog under any
circumstances.
Restrictive adverb + modal verb + subject
Under no circumstances should you touch
the dog.
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At no time
I didn’t think of eating her chocolate lava
cake at any time.
Negative adverbial phrase + auxillary verb + subject
At no time did I think of eating her chocolate
lava cake.
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Hardly...when/
No sooner...than
I had hardly started eating my chocolate lava
cake when the doorbell rang.
Negative adverbial phrase + auxillary verb + subject
Hardly had I started eating my chocolate
lava cake when the doorbell rang.
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Hardly...when/
No sooner...than
I had no sooner started eating my chocolate
lava cake than the doorbell rang.
Negative adverbial phrase + auxillary verb + subject
No sooner had I started eating my chocolate
lava cake than the doorbell rang.
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Not only... but also
She not only ate my chocolate lava cake, but
she also used up my coffee.
Negative adverbial phrase + auxillary verb + subject
Not only did she eat my chocolate lava cake,
but she also used up my coffee.
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Only + time expression
You may only go out after giving me some
chocolate lava cake.
Restrictive adverbial + time phrase + modal verb + subject
Only after giving me some chocolate lava
cake may you go out.
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Little
She has no idea I borrowed her book.
Restrictive adverbial + auxillary verb + subject
Little does she know I borrowed her book.
Little does she know/realise/comprehend/understand/suspect/acknowledge
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Little
She has no idea I borrowed her book.
Restrictive adverbial + auxillary verb + subject
Little does she know I borrowed her book.
Little does she know/realise/comprehend/understand/suspect/acknowledge
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Examples
1. Never
Never have I tasted such delicious food.
Never did I expect to see you here.
Never before have I encountered such a challenging task.
Never will you find a more loyal friend.
Never in my life have I been so thrilled.
2. Rarely
Rarely do I eat fast food.
Rarely have I seen a movie as captivating as this one.
Rarely did she miss a deadline.
Rarely will you find such a peaceful place.
Rarely have I felt so content with life.
3. Seldom
Seldom have I heard such a beautiful melody.
Seldom do I come across such interesting books.
Seldom did he complain about his difficulties.
Seldom will you meet someone so dedicated.
Seldom have I been so impressed with a presentation.
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Examples
4. Under no circumstances
Under no circumstances should you ignore safety guidelines.
Under no circumstances will we tolerate dishonesty.
Under no circumstances did she compromise her principles.
Under no circumstances can you reveal this information.
Under no circumstances did they break their promises.
5. On no account
On no account should you forget to lock the door.
On no account will we compromise our values.
On no account did they underestimate the challenge.
On no account can you share this confidential data.
On no account should you skip your breakfast.
6. At no time
At no time did she doubt her abilities.
At no time have I regretted my decision.
At no time will we compromise on quality.
At no time did he lose his composure.
At no time should you give up on your dreams.
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Examples
7. Hardly...when
Hardly had I started my journey when it began to rain.
Hardly did she enter the room when the phone rang.
Hardly will you find a more picturesque landscape.
Hardly had they left the party when they realized they forgot
something.
Hardly did he finish speaking when applause erupted.
8. No sooner...than
No sooner had I closed my eyes than the phone rang.
No sooner did she start her new job than she received a
promotion.
No sooner will you ask for help than we'll be there for you.
No sooner had they planted the seeds than the flowers began to
bloom.
No sooner did they make a decision than they saw positive results.
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Examples
9. Only when...
Only when she apologized did I forgive her.
Only when you truly listen can you understand the depth of the
conversation.
Only when they completed the project did they realize its importance.
Only when we appreciate the little moments can we find true
happiness.
Only when he explained his perspective did we comprehend the
situation.
10. Little
Little did she know that her small gesture would brighten my entire
day.
Little did they expect the concert to be so entertaining.
Little did he realize the impact of his words on her feelings.
Little did we understand the significance of the moment until later.
Little did I suspect that the ordinary-looking book held a thrilling story.
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