INVERSION

We invert the subject and the auxiliary verb in a sentence to

give emphasis. You begin the sentence with an adverb.

1. She has seldom visited us.

Seldom has she visited us.

2. I had no idea = Little did I know

I had no idea she has failed her exam.

Little did I know that she has failed her exam.

3. When the following expressions begin a sentence, we

use inversion in the main clause
only, only after, only by, only when, not until, not till,
Only after he had divorced, did he realize how much he loved
her.
Only if you invite her, will she come to the party.
4. Conditional sentences
If I had been there, I would have helped you.
Had I been there, I would have helped you.
Were I you, I wouldn`t go there.
If you see her, tell her the news.
Should you see her, tell her the news.
 5. Hardly/no sooner/scarcely
Hardly had I entered the room when the phone rang.
Scarcely had I entered the room when the phone rang.
No sooner had I entered the room than the phone rang.

hardly + past perfect inverted + when + past simple

scarcely + past perfect inverted + when + past simple
no sooner + past perfect inverted + than + past simple

KWT
1. They had no idea it was a classical concert. KNOW
Little did they know it was a classical concert.
2. They could only keep the children quiet by giving them
sweets.
BY
Only by giving them sweets could they keep the children
quiet.
3. There`s no way I can come to the meeting on Friday.
CAN
In no way can I come to the meeting on Friday.
4. I haven`t seen better service anywhere. ELSE
Nowhere else have I seen better service.
 5. You should not open the door under any circumstances.
NO
Under no circumstances should you open the door
the door.
6. He`d never seen such a professional performance
before.
BEFORE
Never before had I seen such a professional performance.
7. As soon as he had eaten, he jumped up and began to
dance.
SOONER
No sooner had he eaten than he jumped up and began to
dance.
8. You will finish this work if you start now. WILL
Only if you start now will you finish this work.
9. He laughed so much that tears rolled down his cheeks.
LAUGH
So much did he laugh that tears rolled down his cheeks.