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Inversions B2 Extra Practice

The document discusses subject-verb inversion in English. It provides examples of inversion occurring in questions, after certain adverbial expressions at the start of sentences, to show agreement, and with certain verbs followed by an if-clause. Inversion structures include having the verb precede the subject or having the main verb precede the subject. Specific cases like verbs of movement or direct speech are also outlined. Examples are given to illustrate the different types of inversion.

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Kharina Montero
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945 views2 pages

Inversions B2 Extra Practice

The document discusses subject-verb inversion in English. It provides examples of inversion occurring in questions, after certain adverbial expressions at the start of sentences, to show agreement, and with certain verbs followed by an if-clause. Inversion structures include having the verb precede the subject or having the main verb precede the subject. Specific cases like verbs of movement or direct speech are also outlined. Examples are given to illustrate the different types of inversion.

Uploaded by

Kharina Montero
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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INVERSION

No sooner had they arrived at the station than the train pulled in.

There are two ways to invert the subject and the verb.

1.- be/have/modal/auxiliary verb + subject + main verb

a) In questions. Is Helen coming soon?


b) After following words or expressions, when they come at the beginning of a sentence.

Seldom Only in this way Rarely Only then


Little Hardy (ever) when Barely No sooner than
Nowhere (else) Not only but (also) Never (before) Not until/till
Not (even) once In no way On no account In/Under no circumstances
Only by Not since, etc.

e.g. Never (before) have I seen her behave in such a silly way.
Not only did she do her homework but (also) prepared the meal.
Seldom do they carry out their promises.
BUT: They seldom carry out their promises. (There is no inversion because the world seldom does not
come at the beginning of a sentence)

NOTE: When the expressions only after, only by, only if, only when, not until/till come at the beginning of
a sentence the inversion is in the main clause.
e.g. Only after she went to sleep was she able to relax.
Only if you pay attention will you learn.

c) With so, neither, nor, as to express agreement.


e.g. I like Green day. So do I (we use so to agree with an affirmative statement)
I dont like candies Neither do I (we use neither/nor to agree with a negative statement)
d) With should, were, had when they come at the beginning of an if-clause instead of if
e.g. type 1: Should Jane come, let me know
type 2: Were I you, I wouldnt say anything
type 3: Had they been told, I would have offered my help.

2.- main verb + subject

It is used in following cases:


a) After verbs of movement or adverbial expressions of place when they come at the beginning of a sentence
e.g. Outside the door was a dog
On the sofa sat an old man
Here comes the bride
There goes the taxi
If the subject is a pronoun, there is no inversion.
Here she comes (NOT: Here comes she)
Up you get (NOT: Up get you)
b) In direct speech when the subject of the introductory verb is a noun.
e.g. I dont know French said Liza (or Liza said)
Ill carry your baggage said the doorbell (or the doorbell said)
BUT: What can I do for you? she asked (NOT: asked she, because the subject of the introductory verb is a
pronoun)
Rewrite the sentences, beginning with the words in bold:
1.- The rain came down
Down came the rain
2.- The birds flew away
...
3.- My house is at the end of the road
...
4.- The actors came onto the stage
...
5.- The airplane rose up into the sky
...
6.- The Grand Hotel stands at the foot of the mountains

7.- The policeman walked down the street

8.- The window cleaner climbed up the ladder

Rewrite the sentences:


9.- I have seldom eaten at such an expensive restaurant.
Seldom have I eaten at such an expensive restaurant
10.- She had no sooner fallen asleep than the telephone rang.
No sooner
11.- We not only got lost, but our car broken down.
Not only..
12.- I have never heard such a terrible story before.
Never .
13.- We realized only then that the jewels had been stolen.
Only then
14.- Business has rarely been so good
Not once.
15.- The boss has not once given him a bonus
Not once
16.- You should not enter this room under any circumstances
Under no circumstances
17.- I got to know Peter only after meeting him several times
Only after..

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