We use Inversion for emphasis in formal and written English
when the following words and expressions are at the
beginning of a sentence:
➢ Never (before ) ➢ Seldom
➢ Not only .......but also ➢ Under no circumstances
➢ No sooner ....... than ➢ On no account
A- Patricia seldom/never goes out in winter.
Seldom/ Never does Patricia go out in winter.
B- Mum cook dinner. She made a cake, too.
Not only did mum cook dinner, but she also made a cake.
C- The Browns entered their house. Immediately after they realized that
someone had broken into.
No sooner had the Browns entered their house than they realized that
someone had broken into. (we use past perfect with no sooner)
D-You should not sign the contract. (the verb is the negative form)
Under no circumstances should you sign this contract. (the verb is
always in the affirmative form)
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first.
1 - We had never seen such an outstanding performance before. (Never)
Never had we seen such an outstanding performance.
2 - As soon as I left home it started raining. (No sooner)
No sooner had I left home than it started raining.
3 - My husband reads both newspapers and magazines. (Not)
Not only does my husband read newspapers but also magazines.
4 - She didn’t speak to him until he apologized to her. (sooner)
No sooner did he apologize than she spoke to him
5 - You must not open this letter. (circumstances)
Under no circumstances should you open this letter.
6 –I have never eaten sushi before. (Never)
Never have I eaten sushi before sushi.
7 - I lost my passport as well as my credit card. (Not only)
Not only did I lose my passport but also my credit card.
8 – Tom bought a plane ticket and he flew to Istanbul. (did)
No sooner did Tom buy a plane ticket that he flew to Istanbul.
9 – She works hard and she’s a devoted mother. (only)
Not only does she work hard but she’s also a devoted mother.
10 – Tom entered the house. Immediately after, the phone rang. (sooner)
No sooner had Tom entered the house than the phone rang _
11 – You shouldn’t walk around the neighbourhood after dark. (account)
On no account should you walk around the neighbourhood after dark.
12 - The dog attacked him as soon as he walked in. (than)
No sooner had he walk in than the dog attacked him.
13 – Sally wrote all the reports and she also sent all the emails. (only)
Not only did Sally write all the reports but she also sent all the emails.
14- You mustn’t take photos inside the palace. (On)
On no account must you take photos inside the palace.