INVERSION

1. INVERSION AFTER NEGATIVE ADVERBIALS:

- Time expressions:
Negative
Never Normal Structure: S + V
Rarely Inverted Structure: V + S
Seldom
Never in life + inversion
No longer
Never before
Hardly ever
Never have I heard a weaker excuse! = I have never heard a weaker excuse!
Rarely can a minister have been faced with such a problem.
Seldom does the team give a worse performance.
- Little:
Little (=Not) + inversion
Không
Little does the government appreciate what the results will be. = The government doesn’t
appreciate what the results will be.
2. TIME EXPRESSIONS:
Hardly
Barely + had + S + PP when/ before + S + V (past simple)
Scarcely
No sooner + had + S + PP than + S + V (past simple)
Ngay khi… thì…
Hardly had the train left the station when there was an explosion.
Scarcely had I entered the room when the phone rang.
No sooner had I reached the door than I realized it was locked.
3. AFTER ONLY:
Only by + noun/ V-ing + inversion
Only + adverb of time (Only then/ Only later) + inversion
Only when/ if + clause + inversion
Only in this way + inversion
Only after posting the letter did I remember that I had forgotten to put a stamp.
Note: When only refers “the state of being the only one”, there is no inversion. (Khi từ Only chỉ
“trạng thái của người/ vật duy nhất” thì không đảo ngữ.)
Only + S + V
Only Mary realized that the door was not locked.
4. PHRASES CONTAINING NO/ NOT:
Under/ In no circumstances
(Dù trong bất cứ hoàn cảnh nào cũng không)
On no account (Không có lý do gì)
At no time (Không bao giờ) + inversion
In no way (Không)
On no condition (Không)
No where (Không nơi nào/ Không nơi đâu)
No longer (Không còn nữa)
On no condition are they to open fire without a warning.
5. PHRASE NOT UNTIL:
Not until + phrase/ clause of time + inversion
Mãi cho đến khi…
Not until I got home did I notice that I had the wrong umbrella. = I didn’t notice that I had the
wrong umbrella until I got home.
6. STRUCTURE NOT ONLY
Not only + inversion + but also + S (noun) + V
 Not only + inversion + but + S (pronoun) + also + V
Not only + inversion + but + S + V + as well
Không những… mà còn
Not only is he good at English but he can also draw very well. = He is not only good at
English but he can also draw very well.
7. INVERSION AFTER SO/SUCH WITH THAT:
S+ V + so + adj/adv + that clause  So + adj/ adv + inversion + that clause
So interesting is the play that the theatre is likely to be full every night. = The play is so
interesting that the theatre is likely to be full every night.
So many books did he buy that he couldn't read them all. = He bought so many books that he
couldn't read them all.
So devastating were the floods that some areas may never recover. = The floods were so
devastating that some areas may never recover.
Such (= so much/ so great) + be + S (noun phrase) + that clause
Such was the force of the storm that trees were uprooted. = The force of the storm was so much/
so great that trees were uprooted.
8. INVERSION IN CONCESSION:
Although + S + V + adj/adv, main clause  Adj/Adv + as/though + S + V, main clause
Difficult as/though it may seem/be, it is not impossible. = Although it may seem/be difficult, it is
not impossible.
9. INVERTED CONDITIONAL SENTENCES WITHOUT IF:
If + S + V(present), S + V(present)  Should + S (+ not) + bare inf., S + V(present)
S + will + bare inf. S + will + bare inf.
If + S + V(past subjunctive), S + would + bare inf.  Were + S (+ not) …, S + would + bare inf.
Were + S (+ not) + to inf.,
If + S + had + PP, S + would have + PP  Had + S (+ not) + PP, S + would have + PP
Were they to escape, they would be an outcry. = If they were to escape, they would be an outcry.
Should he have cheated, he will have to be punished. = If he has cheated, he will have to be
punished.
Had I known, I would have protested strongly. = If I had known, I would have protested strongly.
10. INVERT THE SUBJECT AND VERB WITH COMPARISONS: We use inversion in
comparisons when the subject compared is a noun phrase.
My sister spends more hours in the office than John does. = My sister spends more hours in the
office than does John.
We were more prepared than the other performers were. = We were more prepared than were
the other performers.
Everyone looks much happier today than they did yesterday.
11. ADVERBS OF PLACE/ PREPOSITIONS/ HERE/ THERE:
- Inversion with Adverbs of place/ Prepositions
Adv of place + V(tense) + S = S + V(tense) + adv of place
Prep
Up in the air went the balloon. = The balloon went up in the air.
Behind the bamboo forest lies my house. = My house lies behind the bamboo forest.
- Inversion with here/ there.
Here/ There + be/ come/ go + S (noun)
Here/ There + S (pronoun) + be/ come/ go
Here comes the bus. There Sally goes.
12. EMPHASIS:
- Cleft sentence
It + be + emphasized part (S, O, Adverb of time, Adverb of place, Clause) + that…
Chính… đã…
Note: If the emphasized part is a noun indicating a person and functioning as a subject, we can use:
It + be + S (person) + that/ who + V

Sue borrowed my bike last night.

  It was Sue who/ that borrowed my bike last night. = The person who borrowed my bike last
night last night was Sue.
 It was my bike that Sue borrowed last night. = What Sue borrowed last night was my bike.
=The thing which Sue borrowed last night was my bike.
 It was last night that Sue borrowed my bike. = The time when Sue borrowed my bike was last
night.
- What- sentences: to emphasise part of the sentence or the whole sentence
What ... + be + emphasized part
I really love having my family over for lunch. = What I really love is having my family over for
lunch.
The police interviewed all the witnesses. = What the police did was (to) interview all the
witnesses.
- all: to focus on a particular thing and nothing else
All ... + be + emphasized part
I want a new coat for Christmas. = All I want for Christmas is a new coat.
I touched the bedside light and it broke. = All I did was (to) touch the bedside light and it broke.
13. WHATEVER/ HOWEVER/ NO MATTER WHAT/ NO MATTER HOW:
Whatever/ No matter what + noun + V , main clause
Cho dù … đi nữa S+V
Whatever/ No matter what + V , main clause
Cho dù … đi nữa S+V
However/ No matter how + adj/ adv S+ V, main clause
Cho dù … thế nào đi nữa
He can shout even louder but I still won’t take any notice.
 No matter how much louder/ No matter how louder he can shout even, I still won’t take any
notice.
 However much louder/ However louder he can shout even, I still won’t take any notice.
14. INVERSION AFTER AS. This is more common in formal or written language. (Đảo ngữ sử
dụng sau as. Đảo ngữ này thường được dùng trong văn viết trang trọng)
We were short of money, as were most people in our neighbourhood.
I thought, as did my colleagues, that the recession would soon be over.
15. INVERSION AFTER SO, NEITHER AND NOR. These are used in “echoing” statements,
agreeing or disagreeing. (Đảo ngữ sử dụng sau so, neither và nor. Những từ này được sử dụng để lặp
lại, đồng ý hoặc không đồng ý)
“I am going home.” – “So am I.”
“I don’t like meat.” – “Neither do I.”
EXERCISE
Exercise 1. Rewrite the following sentences.
1. I’ll find that man no matter how long it takes.
 However .........................................................................................................................................
2. No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t open the door.
 However ........................................................................................................................................ .
3. She never seems to succeed even though she studies much.
 Much ..............................................................................................................................................
as she studies, she never seems to succeed.
4. The police didn’t believe her until the body was found.
 Not until .........................................................................................................................................
the body was found did the police not believe.
5. Rita doesn’t realize how serious her husband’s operation is going to be.
does Rita realize how serious her husband's operation is going to be.
 Little ...............................................................................................................................................
6. She is not only beautiful but also hard-working.
 Not only .........................................................................................................................................
is she beautiful but she is also hard-working.
7. My mother doesn’t do the washing by hand any more.
 No longer .......................................................................................................................................
does my mother do the washing by hand anymore.
8. My father doesn’t smoke any more.
 No longer ........................................................................................................................................
9. Mary’s voice is so great that all members of my family, even my strict grandmother, like her
songs.
  Such ................................................................................................................................................
10. Although she finished her project successfully, her boss was still unsatisfied.
 Successfully.....................................................................................................................................
Exercise 2. Rewrite the following sentences as directed.
1. Overeating caused his heart attack.
 It was .............................................................................................................................................
 If .....................................................................................................................................................
 What ...............................................................................................................................................
2. The workers only called off the strike after a new pay offer.
 If .....................................................................................................................................................
3. I am amazed by the mistakes he makes.
 What ...............................................................................................................................................
4. Unless she’s really hungry, she never eats snacks between meals.
 Only when ......................................................................................................................................
she is really hungry does she eat snacks between meals.
5. Immediately after his arrival home a water-heater exploded.
 Hardly ............................................................................................................................................
had he arrived home when a water-heater exploded.
6. I don’t really like her even though I admire her achievements.
 Much ..............................................................................................................................................
7. Alice and Charles did not decide to move to a bigger house until after the birth of their second
child.
their second child was born did Alice and Charles not decide to move to a bigger house.
 Only when ......................................................................................................................................
8. The last thing you should do is to phone the police.
 Under .............................................................................................................................................
no circumstances should you phone the police.
9. The only reason the party was a success was that a famous film star attended.
 Had ................................................................................................................................................
10. The only way you can become a good athlete is to train hard everyday.
 Only by ...........................................................................................................................................
training hard every day can you become a good athlete.
11. The council rarely allows appeals against its decision.
the council allow appeals against its decision.
 Hardly ever does ............................................................................................................................
 Hardly ever are ..............................................................................................................................
12. I only need another $15.
 All I .................................................................................................................................................
13. The journalists only heard about the changes to the wedding plans when they arrived at the venue.
 Not until ........................................................................................................................................
the journalists arrived at the venue did they hear about the changes to the wedding plans. .
14. Peter left the windows unlocked.
 What ...............................................................................................................................................
15. There are more people out of work in this country than ever before.
 Never ..............................................................................................................................................
before are there more people out of work in this country.
Exercise 3. Choose the correct answer:
1. ____________________________, you would have succeeded in your business.
A. If you listened to my advice B. Were you to listen to my advice
C. Had you listened to my advice D. As long as you listened to my advice
2. She doesn’t like classical music and _______________________________.
A. I don’t, too B. I don’t, either C. neither do I D. B and C are correct
3. Little ______________ what he has caused to others.
A. does he know B. he knows C. he can know D. he will know
4. __________ had he entered the office than he realized that he had left his wallet at home.
A. Hardly B. Scarcely C. No sooner D. Not only
5. ____________ a week goes by without some road accidents.
A. Hardly B. Seldom C. Never D. Infrequently
6. I write to her almost every day.
A. Not a day goes by unless my writing to her.
B. Hardly does a day go by without my writing to her.
C. No day go by without my writing to her.
D. Almost every day goes by without my writing for her.
7. The noise next door didn’t stop until midnight.
 A. It was not until midnight that the noise next door stopped.
B. Not until midnight did the noise next door stopped.
C. Only when midnight did the noise next door stopped.
D. Hardly did the noise next door stopped when it was midnight.
8. He started computer programming as soon as he left school.
A. No sooner had he started computer programming than he left school.
B. Hardly had he started computer programming when he left school.
C. No sooner had he left school than he started computer programming.
D. After he left school, he had started computer programming.
9. He spent all his money. He even borrowed some from me.
A. As soon as he borrowed some money from me, he spent it all.
B. Hardly had he borrowed some money from me when he spent it all.
C. Not only did he spent all his money but also he borrowed some from me.
D. Not only did he spend all his money but he borrowed some from me as well.
10. She only felt relaxed after a few months working for him.
A. She used to feel relaxed working for him a few months.
B. A few months ago, she didn’t find it relaxed working for him.
C. Only after a few months working for him did she feel relaxed.
D. It was not until a few months working for him did she feel relaxed.
11. Right after his appointment to the post, he fell ill.
A. No sooner did he appointed to the post than he fell ill.
B. No sooner had he appointed to the post than he fell ill.
C. Hardly had he appointed to the post when he fell ill.
D. Hardly had he been appointed to the post when he fell ill.
12. Just after solving one problem, I was faced with another.
A. Scarcely had I solved one problem when I was faced with another.
B. Hardly had I solved one problem when I was faced with another.
C. No sooner had I solved one problem than I was faced with another.
D. All are correct.
13. A country cannot be prosperous if it is not quite independent.
A. Unless a country is quite independent, it can be prosperous.
B. Without complete independence, a country can be prosperous.
C. Only when a country is quite independent can it be prosperous.
D. It is not until a country is quite independent can it be prosperous.
14. I only recognized him when he came into the light.
A. Only when I recognized him, he came into the light.
B. It wasn’t until he came into the light that I recognized him
C. Not until he came into the light I did recognize him
D. I did not recognize him even when he came into the light.
15. We couldn’t relax until all the guests had left.
A. Not until all the guests had left could we relax.
B. It wasn’t until all the guests had left that we could relax.
C. It wasn’t until all the guests had left could we relax.
D. A and B are correct
16. The phone stopped ringing the moment I got downstairs.
A. No sooner had the phone stopped ringing than I got downstairs.
B. After the phone had stopped ringing, I got downstairs.
C. Hardly had the phone stopped ringing when I got downstairs.
D. No sooner had I got downstairs than the phone stopped ringing.
17. The light failed the moment they began work.
A. But for the light failed, they would have begun work.
B. Hardly did they begin work when the light failed.
C. Hardly had they begun work when the light failed.
D. As soon as the light failed, they began work.
18. She didn’t shed a tear as the play ended in tragedy.
A. The tragedy play wasn’t good for her to shed tear.
 B. Without her tear, the play didn’t end tragically.
C. So tragic was the play that she didn’t shed a tear.
D. Not a tear did she shed when the play ended in tragedy.
19. It was not until she had arrived home ___________________ her appointment with the doctor.
A. when she remembered B. that she remembered
C. and she remembered D. did she remember
20. Canada does not require that U.S citizens obtain passports to enter the country, and _________.
A. Mexico doesn’t, too B. so does Mexico
C. Mexico doesn’t, either D. neither is Mexico
21. ____________________, he would have been able to pass the exam.
A. If he studied harder last year B. Provided he studied hard last year
C. Studying harder last year D. Had he studied harder last year
22. ___________________ will Mr. Dennis be able to regain control of the company.
A. With hard work B. Despite his hard work
C. Only if he works hardly D. Only by working hard
23. __________ had I arrived home than it began to rain.
A. No sooner B. Hardly C. Scarcely D. Rarely
24. My father paid my fees. _______________that, I wouldn’t be here now.
A. If there were not B. But for C. Had it not been for D. B and C are correct
25. Only after food has been dried or canned ________________________________.
A. it should be stored for future use. B. that it should be stored for future use.
C. should it be stored for future use. D. should it store for future use.

THE END

KEY
I.
1. However long it takes, I’ll find that man.
2. However hard I tried I couldn’t open the door.
3. Much as/ though she studies, she never seems to succeed.
4. Not until the body was found did the police believe her.
5. Little does Rita realize how serious her husband’s operation is going to be.
6. Not only is she beautiful but she also is hard-working.
7. No longer does my mother do the washing by hand.
8. No longer does my father smoke.
9. Such is Mary’s voice that that all members of my family, even my strict grandmother, like her
songs.
10. Successfully as/ though she finished her project, her boss was still unsatisfied.
II.
1. It was overeating that caused his heart attack.
If he hadn’t overeaten, he wouldn’t have suffered a heart attack.
What caused his heart attack was overeating.
2. If a new pay hadn’t offered, the workers wouldn’t have called off the strike.
3. What amazes me is the mistakes he makes.
4. Only when she’s really hungry does she eat snacks between meals.
5. Hardly had he arrived home when a water-heater exploded.
6. Much as/ though I admire her achievements, I don’t really like her. (Mục 8)
7. Only when their second child was born did Alice and Charles decide to move to a bigger house.
8. Under any circumstances should you phone the police.
9. Had a famous film star not attended, the party wouldn’t have been successful.
10. Only by training hard everyday can you become a good athlete.
11. Hardly ever does the council allow appeals against its decision.
Hardly ever are appeals against the council’s decision allowed.
12. All I need is another $15.
13. Not until the journalists arrived at the venue did they hear about the changes to the wedding plans.
14. What Peter did was leaving the windows unlocked.
 15. Never before have there been more people out of work in this country.
III.
1. C, 2. D, 3. A, 4. C, 5. D, 6. B, 7. A, 8. C, 9. D, 10. C, 11. D, 12. D, 13. C, 14. B, 15. D, 16. D, 17. C, 18.
D, 19. B, 20. C, 21. D, 22. D, 23. A, 24. D, 25. C

He likes you. I do, too. So do I.

He doesn't like you. I don't, either.

Neither do I.