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General Information
1. What is inversion?
Inversion is the reversal of the normal order of the subject and the verb in a sentence.
I had never seen so many people in one room. (= normal word order)
Never had I seen so many people in one room. (= inversion)
2. When do we use inversion?
Inversion is used to put emphasis on a certain part of a statement or to make a question.
Note: inversion should be used sparingly as over-use can sound ridiculous. It can usually be
avoided in conversation altogether.
How many kinds of inversion are there?
1. Inversion in a question
In a statement, the subject is often followed by the verb, for example:
She is the General Director.
She has seen the Grand Canyon.
In a question, the subject follows the (auxiliary) verb:
Is she the General Director?
Has she seen the Grand Canyon?
2. Inversion in a sentence beginning with a negative or a semi-negative word or
phrase
The following words and phrases are followed by an inversion of subject and verb when they
begin a sentence or an independent clause.
never
rarely
seldom
hardly ever
hardly
scarcely
scarcely when
in no way
at no time
not once
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not often
not only but as well
not only but also
no sooner than
not until
on no account
nowhere
not until
nowhere
on no account
nor
under no circumstances
For example:
Mary not only works at the post office but she also works at the grocery store. -> Not
only does Mary work at the post office but she also works at the grocery store.
Max never bought another motorcycle again. -> Never again did Max buy another
motorcycle.
Note: The inversion happens only in the first part of the sentence. For example:
No sooner had he opened the letter than did the phone ring. [wrong]
No sooner had he opened the letter than the phone rang. [right]
3. Inversion in a sentence beginning with a prepositional phrase of place
Austin, Texas, lies at the edge of the Hill County. -> At the edge of the Hill
County lies Austin, Texas.
4. Inversion in a conditional sentence
If I had gone to the post office, I would have bought some stamps. -> Had I gone to the post
office, I would have bought some stamps.
If it had not been for your help, I wouldnt have succeeded. -> Had it not been for your help, I
wouldnt have succeeded.
If you should meet her, please ask her to call me at once. -> Should you meet her, please
ask her to call me at once.
5. Inversion in a sentence beginning with so in the structure of so that
She is so beautiful that everyone turns to look at her. -> So beautiful is she that every one
turns to look at her.
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He drove so carelessly that his car crashed into a tree. -> So carelessly did he drive that his
car crashed into a tree.
6. Inversion in the structure with so and neither
He likes tea and I do too. -> He likes tea and so do I.
He isnt a student and she is not either. -> He isnt a student and neither is she.
So is used in positive sentences and neither in negative sentences.
So and too have the same meaning, but only so needs inversion.
Neither and either have the same meaning but only neither needs inversion.
7. Inversion in a sentence beginning with Only
Only when all attempts at the negotiation had failed did the men decide to go on strike.
Only in central Vietnam have I seen such scenery like that.
If only modifies the subject, there is no inversion. For example:
Only he can speak English. [no inversion]
Only the special members can enter the club on Sundays. [no inversion]
8. Inversion in a sentence /clause beginning with here and there
Here are your keys.
There goes the train!
Here comes George!
In exclamatory sentences beginning with here or there, if the subject is a personal
pronoun, there is no inversion. For example:
There he is!
Here she arrives!
9. Inversion in a sentence with reporting verbs
The subject can come after reporting verbs like say , tell , ask when these are in the
middle or at the end of the direct speech.
She is pretty, said he.
I have four children, answered the old man, and they are all studying abroad.
10. Inversion in a sentence beginning with a predicate
For example:
Darkening is the sky.
Present at the meeting were the President, the Prime Minister and all Members of the
Cabinet.
11. Inversion in a sentence beginning with an adverb or adverb phrase.
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For example:
Often have I heard it said that he is not to be trusted.
Twice within my lifetime have world wars taken place.
Near the church was an old ruined cottage.
12. Inversion in a sentence with as used to express similarity
In formal style , as expressing similarity can be followed by an inversion. For example:
Alice is a vegetarian, as are most of her relatives.
Tom likes football, as do his classmates.