Inversion

Exercise #1 Reformulate the following sentences using inversion.

Example : She at no time said she was vegetarian.

→→> At no time did she say (that) she was vegetarian.

1. I had hardly begun to apologize when the door closed .

2. I have seldom heard such a talented singer.

3. If John had known that she liked curry, he would have brought her to an Indian restaurant.

4. The artist rarely paid any attention to his agent's advice.

5. He had never felt so depressed.

6. The shop can in no way be held responsible for customers' lost property.

7. The couple had no sooner arrived than the priest started the ceremony.

8. Tom only understood the meaning of the comment when he saw his wife's face.

9. She never at any time said that she was allergic to cats.

10. The restaurant cannot accept animals under any circumstances.

Exercise #2
Complete the sentences below with the words in brackets in the correct tense and the right order.

1. Not until June 15 (we/can/accept) ________________________________applications for next year.

2. Never before that day (she/have/witnessed) ___________________________________such violence.

3. Hardly (the match/have/start) _______________________________when the game was interrupted.

4. Not only (the girl/be/hungry) _____________________________, she was also very tired.

5. Little (I/do/imagine) ____________________________________that it was the last time I would see him.

6. Only later ((he/do/understand) _______________________________why his wife was so upset.

7. (He/have/know) _____________________________it would take so long he would not have started.

8. No sooner (her name/be/announce) _______________________________than the crowd started to cheer.

9. At no time (the salesman/do/say) _____________________________that the price would increase.

10. In no way (he/can/be/hold) ________________________________responsible for the damage.

Answers
1. Hardly had I begun to apologize when the door closed.
2. Seldom have I heard such a talented singer.
3. Had John known that she liked curry, he would have brought her to an Indian restaurant.
4. Rarely did the artist pay attention to his agent's advice.
5. Never had he felt so depressed.
6. In no way can the shop be held responsible for customers' lost property.
7. No sooner had the couple arrived than the priest started the ceremony.
8. Only when he saw his wife's face did Tom realize the meaning of the comment.
9. Never at any time had she said (that) she was allergic to cats.
10. Under no circumstances can the restaurant accept animals.