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Mastering Negative Inversion Techniques

The document explains the concept of negative inversion used for emphasis in sentences, where a negative or limiting word is placed at the beginning, followed by a change in word order. It provides common starters for inversion such as 'never', 'rarely', and 'not only', along with examples demonstrating the structure. Additionally, it includes specific structures for phrases like 'no sooner...than', 'hardly...when', and 'not since...have', along with practice sentences.

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6 views26 pages

Mastering Negative Inversion Techniques

The document explains the concept of negative inversion used for emphasis in sentences, where a negative or limiting word is placed at the beginning, followed by a change in word order. It provides common starters for inversion such as 'never', 'rarely', and 'not only', along with examples demonstrating the structure. Additionally, it includes specific structures for phrases like 'no sooner...than', 'hardly...when', and 'not since...have', along with practice sentences.

Uploaded by

tsurara2035
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Negative Inversion

How to Emphasize Sentences Using


Inversion
•We use negative inversion for emphasis.
•The negative or limiting word comes at
the beginning
•Then the word order changes:
Auxiliary verb + subject + main verb
I have never heard such a voice.
→ Never have I heard such a voice!
Common starters for inversion:
- Never
- Rarely / Seldom
- Not only
- Under no circumstances
- Little
- Not once
- Only then / Only after
- No sooner / Hardly
- Not since
Examples
I've never seen a cat ride a
skateboard.
→ Never have I seen a cat ride a
skateboard!
He not only sings in the shower, he
also records albums there.
→ Not only does he sing in the
shower, but he also records albums
there!
We didn’t know she was a secret agent.
→ Little did we know she was a secret
agent!
The cat didn’t blink once during the
staring contest.
→ Not once did the cat blink during the
staring contest!
No sooner…than (как только… так
Structure: сразу)
No sooner + had + subject + past participle +
than + past simple

I turned on my laptop and my cat sat on the


keyboard
→No sooner had I turned on my laptop than the
cat sat on the keyboard.
Hardly... When (едва... как)
Structure:
Hardly + had + subject + past participle +
when + past simple
I poured milk into the
bowl and the cat
knocked it over
→Hardly had I poured
milk into the bowl when
the cat knocked it over.
Not since… (с тех пор, как… не…)
Structure:
Not since + subject + Past Simple + have/has + subject
+ past participle

Not since I forgot to feed her at 6:01 has my


cat forgiven me
Practice

Never __________ such a


breathtaking view before (I; to
see)
Never have I seen such a
breathtaking view
before.
Seldom people realize how
powerful words can be.
Seldom do people realize how
powerful words can be.
She is talented. She is
also incredibly
hardworking. (Not only)
Not only is she talented,
but she is also incredibly
hardworking.
Little __________ that he
was being recorded. (he;
to know)
Little did he know that
he was being recorded.
I didn't complain even once
during the trip.
Not once did I complain during the
trip.
No sooner __________ than the
phone rang. (I; hang up)
No sooner had I hung up than the
phone rang.
Ни при каких
обстоятельствах ты не
должен открывать эту
дверь.
Under no circumstances
must you open that
door.
Только тогда он понял свою
ошибку.
Only then did he realize his
mistake.
С тех пор как она ушла, я не
чувствовал себя счастливым.
Not since she left have I felt
happy.

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