INVERSION
e.g.: No sooner had they arrived at the station than
the train pulled in.
Not only did they make a donation but they
(also) promised to build a shelter for the homeless.
Never (before) have I met such an ambitious
teenager.
Beyond the open fields stood the majestic
mountains.
There are two ways to invert the subject
and the verb.
1. be / have / modal / auxiliary verb +
subject + main verb
2. main verb + subject
1. be / have / modal / auxiliary verb + subject
+ main verb
It is used in the following cases:
a. in questions;
b. after some words or expressions, when they
come at the beginning of a sentence;
c. with so, neither, nor, as to express agreement;
d. with should, were, had when they come at the
beginning of an if-clause instead of “if”.
1.a. be / have / modal / auxiliary verb +
subject + main verb in questions.
e.g.: Is Peter taking an exam today?
Are you walking to work today?
1.b. be / have / modal / auxiliary verb + subject + main verb after the
following words or expressions, when they come at the beginning of a
sentence:
Seldom Nowhere (else) On no account Only then
Rarely Never (before) Only by Hardly (ever) … when
Little Not (even) once Only in this way No sooner … than
Barely Not until (till) Not since Not only … but (also)
In no way In / Under no circumstances, etc.
e.g.: Never (before) have I seen such a beautiful woman.
Seldom do we get out since the baby was born.
BUT: We seldom go out since the baby was born. (There is no inversion
because the word seldom does not come at the beginning of the
sentence.)
NOTE: When the expressions only after,
only by, only if, only when, not until / till
come at the beginning of a sentence, the
inversion is in the main clause.
e.g.: Only after she started working was she
able to save some money.
Only if you follow my advice will you
succeed.
1.c. be / have / modal / auxiliary verb + subject
+ main verb with so, neither, nor, as to express
agreement.
e.g.: “I love chocolate ice cream.” “So do I”
(we use “so” to agree with an affirmative statement.)
“I can’t stand violent films.” “Neither / Nor can
I.”
(we use “neither / nor” to agree with a negative
statement.)
She was a talented musician, as was her sister /
and so was her sister.
1.d. be / have / modal / auxiliary verb +
subject + main verb with should, were, had
when they come at the beginning of an if-clause
instead of “if”.
• E.g. Type 1: Should he call, tell him I’m out.
(=If he should call…)
• E.g. Type 2: Were I you, I wouldn’t trust her.
(=If I were you…)
• E.g. Type 3: Had I been told, I would have offered my
help.
(=If I had been told…)
2. main verb + subject
It is used in the following cases:
a. after verbs of movement or adverbial expressions
of place when they come at the beginning of a
sentence;
b. in direct speech when the subject of the
introductory verb is a noun.
2.a. main verb + subject after verbs of
movement or adverbial expressions of place
when they come at the beginning of a sentence.
e.g.: Outside the house was a sports car.
On the sofa sat an old man.
Here comes the bride.
There goes the bus.
If the subject is a pronoun, there is no inversion.
e.g.: Here she comes. (NOT: Here comes she.)
Up you get. (NOT: Up get you.)
2.b. main verb + subject in direct speech
when the subject of the introductory verb is a
noun.
e.g.: “I don’t like this hotel,” said Henry.
(OR: … Henry said.)
“I’ll call you a taxi,” said the doorman.
(OR: … the doorman said.)
BUT: “What can I do for you?” she asked.
(NOT: …asked she. – because the subject of the
introductory verb is a pronoun.)
THANK YOU!!!
NOW, WE SHOULD PRACTICE!!!