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Inversion Practice

The document provides examples and exercises for inverting sentences using auxiliary verbs. The exercises ask the reader to fill in gaps or rewrite sentences with inverted word order using provided words. Some key aspects covered include: starting inverted sentences with auxiliary verbs rather than subjects, maintaining word order for additional auxiliaries, and converting statements to inverted questions or exclamations using inversion triggers. The document aims to practice identifying opportunities for sentence inversion and applying the grammatical rules.

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Silvia
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80 views6 pages

Inversion Practice

The document provides examples and exercises for inverting sentences using auxiliary verbs. The exercises ask the reader to fill in gaps or rewrite sentences with inverted word order using provided words. Some key aspects covered include: starting inverted sentences with auxiliary verbs rather than subjects, maintaining word order for additional auxiliaries, and converting statements to inverted questions or exclamations using inversion triggers. The document aims to practice identifying opportunities for sentence inversion and applying the grammatical rules.

Uploaded by

Silvia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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INVERSION PRACTICE

Exercise 1 - Fill the gaps using the words in the box.


has · before · than · audience · then · was
started · will · can · did · so many · had

1.
Hardly ever an athlete won so many medals in such a short time.

2.
Little we realise what a social faux-pas we had committed.

3.
Scarcely the match started when the trouble began.

4.
Only by standing on tip-toe I able to see anything at all.

5.
Seldom can an have heard a better interpretation of this symphony.

6.
Hardly had the controversial opera when people began to walk out.

7.
Only if we leave now we be in time to catch the train.

8.
Never have I seen people turn out for this event.

9.
Rarely a remark have been more ill-judged.

10.
Only did it become clear what the extent of the damage was.

11.
Barely had we had time to pack up the picnic things the heavens
opened

12.
No sooner had we asked for a quieter room room, we were given one
.
Exercise 2 - Fill the gaps using the words in the box. ?
else · way · did · circumstances · nothing · such
nor · until · would · account · only · even
1.
At no time he seem to realise what an idiot he was making of himself.

2.
At no time before have I heard arrant nonsense.

3.
Nowhere do they charge you so much for water

4.
On no should you miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

5.
Under no must this door be left unlocked.

6.
Not she apologises for what she said will I speak to her again.

7.
Not if they halved the price would I buy such a heap of old rubbish.

8.
Not for all the money in the world I do what you're suggesting.

9.
Not do I know you're wrong, but I can also prove you're wrong.

10.
Neither was the food up to standard was the service particularly good.

11.
Everyone except me got soaked. Not for do I always carry an
umbrella.

12.
No am I going to jump into that icy cold water!

Two practice exercises


Practice Exercises - general principles
1. Unless shown otherwise in the brackets (), start each sentence with a capital letter
and finish with a full stop, but don't add any other punctuation.
2. Remember that when there is more than one auxiliary verb, only the first one is
inverted. Any others stay with the main verb.
.
Exercise 3 - Make inverted sentences from the sentences given, using the words in
brackets ().

1. You shouldn't tell him about my trip to China. (On no ...)

2. You are not going to get me to eat that! (No way ... !)

3. I have seldom seen such a brilliant goal. (Seldom ...)

4 Such a hurricane has rarely happened in Hereford. (Hardly ever ...)

5. I wouldn't want to hurt your feelings for all the world. (Not ...)

6. They were never aware of the danger that threatened them. (At no

time ...)

7. This must not leak out to the press. (Under ...)


8. He wasn't rich and he wasn't handsome. (Neither ...)

9. We haven't often witnessed such artistry. (Rarely ...)

10. The bridge collapsed as soon as we managed to get across. (No sooner ...)

11. We were only able to cross the border by offering him a bribe. (Only ...)

12. Immediately he opened his mouth he started complaining about

everything. (Barely ... before ...)

Exercise 4 - Make inverted sentences from the sentences given, using the words in
brackets ().

1. She has no idea what a surprise she's going to get. (Little ... know)
2. The bell had barely started to ring when the children rushed out of the classroom.
(Scarcely)

3. He didn't start his speech until there was absolute silence in the hall (Not ...)

4. We will only be able to accept your offer if we are offered free delivery (Only ...)

5. It is with good reason that Edinburgh is known as the Athens of the North (Not for ...)

6. We have never been so well wined and dined in our lives (Never ...)

7. She didn't break the news of her engagement until after dinner (Only ...)

8. We weren't told that we would need our passports. (At no time ...)

9. They don't charge you as much for water anywhere else. (Nowhere else ...)

10. I wouldn't fly with them again even if they offered me a free flight. (Not even ...)

11. We had barely entered the shop when an assistant jumped on us. (Hardly ... when ...)
12. He is both charming and very rich. (Not only ..., but ... also ...)

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