INVERSION EXERCISES

KEYS
I. Choose the most suitable words underlined.
1. he would never 6. passed
2. did I remember 7. so high were the waves
3. when 8. Peter has arrived
4. was I 9. than
5. was I aware 10. should you leave early
II. Rewrite these sentences, using NEVER.
1. Never before had she been so happy.
2. Never have I heard such nonsense!
3. Never in my life have I seen such a mess.
4. Never have our profits been higher than/ as higher as they are this year.
5. Never again would she trust her own judgment when buying antique.
6. Never before had the firm laid on such a sumptuous celebration.
7. Never have I come across such a horrifying film.
8. Never have I been so moved by a Shakespeare production.
9. Never for one moment did I think the consequences would be so far reaching.
10. Never before had I tasted such a wonderful combination of flavours.
III. Rewrite these sentences, using IN, AT, UNDER, or ON
1. In no way can Keith be held responsible for the accident.
2. In no way are the children themselves to blame for the disaster.
3. In no way is the existence of extraterrestrial life confirmed by the report.
4. At no time was I shown how to operate the machine.
5. At no time did he suspect that he was a witch.
6. At no time has the English language not been in a state of change.
7. Under no circumstance will Miss Weaver be offered the job.
8. Under no circumstance should you send money to us by post.
9. Under no circumstance can we exchange tickets.
10.On any account will I go all that way to visit him again.
IV. Rewrite these sentences, using inversion with NOT
1. Not only is he your friend, but hes mine too.
2. Not only did he book tickets for the afternoon performance but he also booked for
the evening performance as well.
3. Not only did the burglars steal a thousand pounds worth of electrical goods, they
also left the flat in an awful mess.
4. Not only was Tom late, but he had left all his books behind.
5. Not only will you enhance your posture but you will (also) improve your acting
ability (as well) on this course.
6. Not for one moment is it worth considering his suggestion/is his suggestion worth
considering.
 7. Not a tear did she shed when the story ended in tragedy.
8. Not once did the manager offer is an apology.
9. Not a sound did she make as she crept upstairs.
10.Not until he retired did he think about having a holiday abroad.
V. Rewrite these sentences, using inversion with ONLY
1. Only when I got home did I realize how dangerous the situation had been.
2. Only last week did the Agriculture Minister admit defeat.
3. Only after seeing Hamlet on the stage did I understand it.
4. Only after they had finished eating did they get round to business.
5. Only after they waited for twelve hours did their flight leave.
6. Only after did I realize who she was.
7. Only by (using) force could the door be opened.
8. Only when Toms apologized will I agree.
9. Only when you buy all twelve books at the same time can/will you get the 40%
discount.
10. Only by training hard can/will/could you become a good athlete.
VI. Rewrite these sentences, using inversion with SHOULD.
1. Should the government be forces into another election, it would be the favorite to
win.
2. Should you wish to make an appointment to see Dr Simons, she is available
between 9.00 and 11.00.
3. Should you have further problems with your printer, contact your deal for advice.
4. Should you decide to accept the post, you will be expected to start work on 1 st
April.
5. Should we hear any further news, we will be in touch immediately.
6. Should you wish to take advantage of the offer, kindly tick the box on your order.
7. Should the film be a box- office success, they may be a sequel.
8. Should you change your mind, there will always be a job for you here.
VII. Rewrite these sentences, using inversion with WERE or HAD
1. Were the chemical to leak, a large area of sea would be contaminated.
2. Were Germany to beat, they would face Italy in the final.
3. Were Mr Morgan still headmaster, he would not permit such bad behavior.
4. Had you given it in on time, you would have got a high mark.
5. Had she become a lawyer, as her parents wishes, she would have earned a large
salary.
6. Had anything gone wrong, I would have been held responsible.
7. Had it not been for Henry, I might not have met you.
8. Had the coast guards been notified they could have saved the vessels.
9. Had they confirmed by phone, the airline could have warned them.
10.Had it not been for his solicitors advice, he would have made a serious mistake.
 VIII. Rewrite each of the following sentences with the given words in such a way
that it means the same as the sentence printed above it.
1. Not only did he spend all his money but she also borrowed some from me.
2. No sooner had I left the office than the phone rang.
3. Hardly had I put the phone down when the boss rang back.
4. Not until the bell rang did he finish his work.
5. Only after several months did we begin to see the symptoms of the disease.
6. Never in my life have seen anyone drink as much as you.
7. Under the table was lying a sleeping dog.
8. Rarely had his brother been more excited.
9. Only later were all the facts made public.
10. Had I realized what would happen, I wouldnt have accepted the job.
11. Such was the responsible to our appeal that we has to take on more staff
12. Not only did Harry break his leg but he also injured his shoulder.
13. Little did the police suspect that the judgment was the murderer.
14. Should you see Helen, could you ask her to call me?
15. In no way can the bus be blamed for the accident.
16. So heavy was the snowfall that all the trains had to be cancelled.
17. Were the government to write interest rates they would lose the election.
18. No sooner had I got into the bath than someone knocked on the door.
19. Such was the uncertainty that the financial markets remained closed.
20. Seldom is there so much rain in March.
21. Only when your identity has been checked will you be allowed in.
22. Hardly had the play started when there was a power failure.
23. Rarely has the Prime Minister made so inept a speech.
24. Scarcely had we arrived home when the police called.
25. On no account are press photographers allowed to take photographs backstage.
26. Never before has so much money been spent to so little purpose!.
27. Barely had the trial proceedings begun when the judge was taken ill.
IX. Complete each sentences with a suitable word or phrase.
1. Hardly/ Scarcely 6. do
2. Under no circumstances 7. Never had
3. Little did 8. Not only did /have
4. Never had / Rarely had 9. Under no circumstances
5. Were you 10. No sooner had
X. Complete each sentence with a suitable word or phrase. (Suggested answers)
1. had the plane taken off, when 6. the
2. Does she know 7. had he begun temperature fall
3. had the train left 8. I to be disturbed
4. we turned. 9. a pupil at this / a student from
5. did I know 10. does the company
XI. Rewrite these sentences with the adverbial phrase of direction or place at the
front of clause. Use inversion where possible.
1. as over their heads flew the bullets.
2. down came a heavy snow.
3. In front of the station, the two men were talking. (no inversion)
4. Behind the protesters was a line of police officers.
5. At the end of the street ran a small stream. Across the stream was an overgrown
garden.
6. and suddenly round the corner it came. (no inversion)
7. In front of them was a white pillar, and on top of it stood a small, marble statue.
8. .and off ran the children.