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Inversion

The document discusses inversion, which is putting the verb before the subject. It provides guidelines on when inversion is used in English: 1) Inversion is used to form questions and after words like "so", "neither", and "nor". 2) In formal written English, inversion is used after negative adverbial expressions, adverbial expressions of place, and words like "seldom", "rarely", and "never" in comparisons. 3) Inversion is also used after words like "hardly", "scarcely", and "no sooner" when one event happens after another, and after expressions beginning with "only" or containing "here" and "there".

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276 views2 pages

Inversion

The document discusses inversion, which is putting the verb before the subject. It provides guidelines on when inversion is used in English: 1) Inversion is used to form questions and after words like "so", "neither", and "nor". 2) In formal written English, inversion is used after negative adverbial expressions, adverbial expressions of place, and words like "seldom", "rarely", and "never" in comparisons. 3) Inversion is also used after words like "hardly", "scarcely", and "no sooner" when one event happens after another, and after expressions beginning with "only" or containing "here" and "there".

Uploaded by

Gais El-AAsi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Inversion

(verb before the subject)



Inversion means putting the verb before the subject.
It is sometimes difficult to remember when inversion is used.
Below you will find some guidelines and examples to help you.

In normal everyday English, inversion is used :
To make questions : Does he? Can you?
After 'so' 'neither', 'nor' : So do I, neither do I, nor do I.

In written English, as well as in a very formal style, inversion is used in the
following cases :
After negative adverbial expressions :
Under no circumstances can we accept cheques.
In no way can he be held responsible.
At no time did she say she would come.

After adverbial expressions of place :
Round the corner came the postman.
On the doorstep was a bunch of flowers.

After 'seldom', 'rarely', 'never', in comparisons :
Seldom have I seen such a beautiful view.
Rarely did he pay anyone a compliment.
Never had I felt so happy.

After 'hardly', 'scarcely', 'no sooner', when one thing happens
after another.
Hardly had I begun to speak when I was interrupted.
Scarcely had we started our meal when the phone rang.
No sooner had I arrived than they all started to argue.

After adverbial expressions beginning with 'only' :
Only after the meeting did I realize the importance of the
subject.

After exclamations with 'here' and 'there' :
Here comes the winner!
There goes all our money!

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