INVERSION OF ORDER

Inversion.

The term inversion covers two different grammatical operations:

1) Using a question form of the main verb.

Not only did he fail to report the accident, but also later denied that he had been

driving the car.

Never have I enjoyed myself more!

2) Changing the normal positions of verb and subject.

Along the street came a strange procession.

Inversion after negative adverbials.

1) This only occurs when the adverbial occurs at the beginning of a clause. All the

examples below are used in formal language, usually for rhetorical effect, such as in

political speeches. They are not usual in everyday spoken language.

Never have I heard a weaker excuse!

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2) Time expressions never, rarely, seldom. These are most commonly used with

present perfect or past perfect, or with modals such as can and could. Sentences of

this type often contain comparatives.

Rarely can a minister have been faced with such a problem.

Seldom has the team given a worse performance.

Rarely had I had so much responsibility.

3) Time expressions: hardly, barely, scarcely, no sooner. These refer to an event

which quickly follows another in the past. They are usually used with past perfect,

although no sooner can be followed by simple past. Note the words used in the

contrasting clause.

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 realised it was locked.

No sooner was the team back on the pitch than it started to rain.

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4) After only. Here only combines with other time expressions and is usually used with

simple past.

Only after posting the letter did I remember that I had forgotten to put

on a stamp.

5) Other examples are only if/when, only then, only later. Note that when only refers to

the state of being only one, there is no inversion following it.

Only Mary realised that the door was not locked.

6) Phrases containing no/not. These include under no circumstances, on no account, at

no time, in no way, on no condition, not until, not only…but also. Note that the

inverted verb is the verb describing the event limited by the negative adverbial.

On no condition are they to open fire without a warning.

Not until I got home did I notice that I had the wrong umbrella.

7) Little. Little also has a negative or restrictive meaning in this sense.

Little does the government appreciate what the results will be.

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8) Inversion after so/such with that. This occurs with so and adjectives when the main

verb is be. It is used for emphasis.

So devastating were the floods that some areas may never recover.

9) Such used with be means so much/so great.

Such was the force of the storm that trees were uprooted.

10) Inverted conditional sentences without If-. Three types of If- sentence can be

inverted without If-. This makes the sentences more formal and makes the event less

likely.

If they were to escape, there would be an outcry.

Were they to escape, there would be an outcry.

If the police has found out, I would have been in trouble.

Were the police to have found out, I would have been in trouble.

If you should hear anything, let me know.

Should you hear anything, let me know.

If he has cheated, he will have to be punished.

Should he have cheated, he will have to be punished.

If I had known, I would have protested strongly.

Had I known, I would have protested strongly.

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11) Inversion after as. This is more common in formal or written language.

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.

12) Inversion after so, neither and nor. These are used in “echoing statements, agreeing

or disagreeing.

- I am going home. – So am I.

- I don’t like meat. – Neither/Nor do I.

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Inversion of Order

Rewrite each sentence, starting as shown, so that the meaning stays the same.

It was only when the office phoned me that I found out about the meeting.

Not until………………………………………………………………………

The facts were not all made public until later.

Only…………………………………………………………………………...

If I had realised what would happen, I wouldn’t have accepted the job.

Had……………………………………………………………………………

The response to our appeal was so great that we had to take on more staff.

Such…………………………………………………………………………...

Harry broke his leg, and also injured his shoulder.

Not only………………………………………………………………………

The police didn’t at all suspect that the judge was the murderer.

Little…………………………………………………………………………..

If you do happen to see Helen, could you ask her to call me?

Should………………………………………………………………………...

The bus driver cannot be blamed for the accident in any way.

In……………………………………………………………………………

The snowfall was so heavy that all the trains had to be cancelled.

So……………………………………………………………………………...

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If the government raised interest rates, they would lose the election.

Were…………………………………………………………………………..

Complete each sentence with a suitable word or phrase.

Scarcely ……………………………………………the pilot had to make

an emergency landing.

Little …………………………………………………what has been

going on in his absence.

No sooner ……………………………….than I realised I’d left my bag

on the platform.

Only when ……………………………………………on the light did we

notice the hole in the ceiling.

Not until I asked a passer-by ……………………………….where I was.

Seldom does …………………………………….below freezing at this

time of the year.

Hardly …………………………………………his speech, when the

minister was interrupted.

On no account am ………………………………………while I am in a

meeting.

Rarely has ……………………………………….this school written a

better composition.

In no way …………………………..bear responsibility for injuries to

passengers.

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Rewrite each sentence so that it contains the word(s) in capitals, and so that the

meaning stays the same.

They would have discovered land sooner had they carried a compass. (If)

……………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………….

It was only when I stopped that I realised something was wrong. (Did I)…………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………….

So exhausted were the runners that none of them finished the race. (Too)…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

The accused never expressed regret for what he had done. (At no time) ……………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………….

As soon as I got into the bath, someone knocked at the door. (No sooner) ……………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………….............……… There was so much uncertainty that the financial markets remained

closed. (Such) ……………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………. You won’t be allowed in until your identity has been checked.

(Only) ……………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………….

The judge fell ill just after the trial proceedings began. (Barely)………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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Complete each sentence with a suitable word or phrase.

Should …………………………………………………………anything,

could you let me know? Were …………………………………………………………………..,

everyone in it would have been killed. Had ……………………………………………..harder, I would probably

have passed all my exams. Should ……………………………………………………neighbourhood,

why don’t you drop in? Had ………………………………………………….immediately, your

daughter would not be so ill. Were …………………………………………….you, I would turn you

down flat! Should …………………………………………………………, just call

room service, and order a meal. Were ……………………………………………………job, we couldn’t

be sure that she should accept. Had …………………………………………………measures, this

political crisis could have been avoided. Should ……………………………………………lost, we would have

heard from him by now.

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EMPHASIS

EXPLANATIONS.

Changing word order to change focus.

1. Passive . Passive constructions vary the way information is given in a sentence, putting more emphasis on what comes first.

All roads to the north have been blocked by snow.

2. Fronting & Inversion. Inversion here refers to changing the normal word

order in the sentence so that a prepositional phrase is emphasised before the verb. This also involves putting the verb before the subject.

Suddenly down came the rain! Up into the air went the balloon.

Fronting involves changing the order of clauses in a sentence and putting first for emphasis a clause that would usually not be first.

I don’t know where the money is coming from. Where the money is coming from, I don’t know.

Time phrases can vary in position, and are often put first because the time reference is important.

At six o’clock Monica decided to phone the police.

May clauses. There is a type of “May” clause introduced by although which can be inverted. It is a highly formal expression.

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Although it may seem/be difficult, it is not impossible. Difficult as/though it may seem/be, it is not impossible.

3. Cleft and pseudo cleft sentences. These are sentences introduced by it is / it was or by a clause beginning what. Different parts of the sentence can be emphasised in this way. In speech, stress and intonation also identify the emphasis.

Sue borrowed my bike last night. It was Sue who borrowed my bike. It was last night that Sue borrowed my bike. It was my bike that Sue borrowed.

Sentences with because are also possible.

It was because I felt ill that I left.

Modal auxiliaries are also possible.

You can’t have read the same book. It can’t have been the same book that you read.

What clauses. These are common with verbs such as need, want, like, hate.

I hate rainy weather. What I hate is rainy weather. You need a holiday. What you need is a holiday.

It is also possible to emphasise events using auxiliaries do/does.

Peter left the windows unlocked. What Peter did was (to) leave the windows unlocked. They are destroying the environment. What they are doing is destroying the environment.

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Clauses beginning all emphasise “the only thing”.

I only need another $15. All I need is another $15.

Adding words for emphasis.

1. Own. This intensifies possessive adjectives.

It was my own idea.

2. Very & indeed. “Very” can be used emphatically to mean “exactly/precisely”. “Very……indeed” is another way of intensifying adjectives.

At the very same moment, the telephone rang. It was very cold indeed.

3. Emphasising negatives. Ways of emphasising not include: at all, in the least, really. In the least/slightest usually adds bit if used before an adjective. No and none can be emphasised by at all and whatsoever.

It was not at all cold. It was not cold at all. I wasn’t interested in the slightest. I wasn’t the least bit interested. There were none left at all. There were no tickets left whatsoever.

4. The. The can emphasise uniqueness. It is heavily stressed in speech.

Surely you are not the Elizabeth Taylor, are you?

5. Question words ending in –ever. These add an air of disbelief to the question.

Whatever are you doing! Whoever told you that!

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6. Auxiliary “Do”. This can emphasise the verb, and is stressed in speech. It is also used in polite forms.

I do like this film! I do hope you will come! Do sit down!

7. Adverbs and adjectives. There is a large number of adverbs and adjectives used to add emphasis. Common examples are:

I actually went inside one of the Pyramids. It is by no means certain that the match will take place. Some people were even wearing pullovers, it was so cold! Her performance was sheer magic! This book is utter nonsense!

8. Echoing phrases with “So”. These express agreement.

- This is the book you are looking for. – So it is!

Other means.

1. Time phrases. Common examples are: day after day; time and time again; over and over again; day in, day out.

David reads the same book over and over again!

2. Repetition of main verb.

I tried and tried, but it was no use.

3. In the repetition of a phrase with a possessive it is possible to omit the first mention of the noun and use a possessive pronoun.

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Their marriage was a successful marriage. Theirs was a successful marriage.

Activities:

Rewrite each sentence so that it contains the word in capitals, and so that the meaning stays the same.

1. The bad weather continued for days. AFTER

2. I can’t stand getting up early. WHAT

3. The car doesn’t need anything else except new tyres. ALL

4. Brenda didn’t worry at all about her exams. LEAST

5. I felt extremely tired. INDEED

6. Keith told me about the hotel. WHO

7. That’s exactly the same book I’m reading! VERY

8. Please stay longer. DO

9. It was a really awful film. JUST

10. I had spent all my money. WHATSOVER

11. You did something that was wrong. WHAT

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12. The calculator I’ve got doesn’t need a battery. OWN

13. The accident was caused because someone was very careless. SHEER

14. I like cheese best for breakfast. WHAT

15. I seem to want to do nothing but sleep. ALL

16. It did nothing but rain for days. AFTER

17. I can’t make any sense of this! UTTER

18. What on earth are you doing here at this time? WHATEVER

19. Actually, you are not right at all. QUITE

20. It’s very important for me to know the answer. SIMPLY.

Rewrite each sentence, beginning as shown, so that the meaning stays the same.

1. I don’t know who is going to pay for the damage.

Who………………………………………………………………….

2. Although the ticket may seem expensive, it is good value for

money.

Expensive……………………………………………………………

3. I really can’t stand lukewarm food.

What…………………………………………………………………

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4. In the end Martha went to the police.

What…………………………………………………………………

5. Every day, it’s the same old routine in my job.

Day…………………………………………………………………..

6. I think you must have seen a ghost.

It……………………………………………………………………..

7. Her car was the last car we expected to be stolen.

Hers………………………………………………………………….

8. The parcel finally arrived on Wednesday.

It……………………………………………………………………..

9. I don’t understand why you left that job in London.

Why ever…………………………………………………………….

10. I bought it because it was a bargain.

It was because……………………………………………………….

Complete each sentence with one suitable word.

1. You can’t complain. It’s your …………….. fault, isn’t it?

2. A: That looks like Janet. B: ……………..it is! My goodness,

hasn’t she changed?

3. I’m so sorry to keep you waiting. I ………………….hope you

haven’t been long.

4. It’s by no………………….certain that the PM will attend the

meeting.

5. ………………….. I really enjoy in winter is a bowl of hot soup.

6. I searched and ………………………for my keys but I couldn’t find

them.

7. ……………………you are all going to sleep I can’t quite work out!

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8. What the government then ……………………was to raise interest

rates.

9. There isn’t much to eat. …………………………we’ve got is some

leftovers.

10. Cathy wasn’t in the……………………put out when I couldn’t make

it to her wedding.

Choose the most suitable word or phrase given.

1. I expected to receive three letters, but none………………..arrived.

(all/completely/whatsoever/utterly)

2. I was so tired I …………………..had to take a nap.

(simply/utterly/quite/by no means)

3. I’ll take this tie. It’s the……………………thing I’m looking for.

(just/quite/sheer/very)

4. If you ask me, it’s a/an………………….waste of time.

(sheer/absolutely/very/really)

5. Helen’s new boyfriend is not………………….what I expected.

(at all/just/absolutely/very)

6. I……………….like your new shoes. Where did you get them?

(would/do/utterly/just)

7. ……………………………do you think you are doing, might I ask?

(actually/just/whatsoever/whatever)

8. Paul…………………had the nerve to blame me for the whole mess!

(quite/simply/actually/really)

9. No, I don’t have a car. I can’t………………..drive.

(quite/utterly/simply/even)

10. I…………………….had to tell you the news! I’m expecting a baby!

(just/did/utterly/quite)

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More practice!!

Choose the most suitable words underlined.

1. Jim promised that he would never/never would he tell anyone else.2. Not until it was too late I remembered/did I remember to call Susan.3. Hardly had we settled down in our seats than/when the lights went out.4. Only after checking three times I was/was I certain of the answer.5. At no time I was aware/was I aware of anything out of the usual.6. Only Catherine and Sally passed/did they pass the final examination.7. So the waves were high/so high were the waves that swimming was

dangerous.8. Only when Pete has arrived/has Pete arrived can we begin the

programme.9. No sooner had it stopped raining than/when the sun came out.10. If should you leave early/should you leave early could you give me a

lift?

Complete each sentence with a suitable word or phrase.

1. ………………….had we arrived at the hotel, when there was a power cut.2. ………………………are members of staff to accept gratuities from clients.3. ………………………Detective Dawson realise what she was to discover!4. ……………………….so many employees taken sick leave at the same time.5. ……………………….to pay the full amount now, there would be a ten per

cent discount.6. I supposed, as…………………most people, that I would be retiring at 60.7. ………………………..the doctors seen a more difficult case.8. …………………….Jean win first prize, but she was also offered a

promotion.9. …………………………..will late arrivals be admitted to the theatre before

the interval.10. ……………………one missing child been found, than another three

disappeared.

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Choose the most appropriate word or words underlined.

1. Don’t worry, I’m none at all tired/not at all tired.2. I thought that speech was utter/utterly rubbish.3. It was because/why the car broke down that we missed our plane.4. – You are sitting on my hat! - So am I/ So I am! 5. The sea was so rough that actually/even the experienced sailors were seasick.6. Whatever/Why ever are you looking at me like that for?7. I would like to make it quite/simply clear that we are just good friends.8. This is my very private/very own computer.9. On this course, we absolutely expect/do expect you to work hard.10. There were warnings, but nothing whatsoever/nothing simply was done.

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