Inversion in English presentation. Reverse word order in English. Inversion in negative conditionals
Standard word order in English declarative sentences is first the subject, then the verb. (See in the section Grammar.) For example:
Lena went to the park yesterday.
I am reading a book now.
This story is rather long.
She has found her keys.
Changing standard word order is called "inversion" (inverted word order; inverse word order). Inversion in English usually refers to placing the auxiliary, modal, or main verb before the subject. Inversion is used with a certain aim, often for emphasis. For example:
Never before have I seen such beauty.
There may be another problem.
Away ran the witch and the monster.
The words "standard word order; normal word order; ordinary word order" (that is, first the subject, then the verb) do not mean that inverted word order (that is, first the verb, then the subject) is incorrect or abnormal .
Standard word order and inverted word order have different uses. For example, inverted word order is necessary in questions, which means that inverted word order is normal word order for questions.
It is advisable for language learners to avoid using most of the emphatic inverted constructions described below. It is necessary to understand inversion, but it is better to use standard, ordinary word order in your own speech and writing.
Cases of inversion that you really need to use in your speech include questions, the construction "there is, there are", sentences beginning with "here" or "there", and responses like "So do I; Neither do I". Examples of other inverted constructions are given here in two variants for comparison of inverted and standard word order.
Note that English inversion may not always be reflected in Russian translation.
Typical cases of inversion
Inversion in questions
The most common type of inversion in English consists of moving the auxiliary verb into the position before the subject. This type of inversion is most often used in questions. For example:
Did Lena go to the park yesterday?
Has she found her keys?
Will he come to the party?
Is this story long?
How long is this story?
(For more examples of questions, see in the section Grammar.)
Construction "there is, there are"
Inversion is required in the construction "there is, there are" and in cases where a modal verb or a main verb is used in such constructions.
There is an interesting article about Spain in today's paper.
There are several books on the table.
There must be a reason for it.
There can be no doubt about it.
There exist several theories on this matter.
Once upon a time, there lived an old man in a small house by the sea.
Inversion after "here" and "there"
Inversion takes place in sentences beginning with the adverb "here" or "there". Some phrases beginning with "here" or "there" have idiomatic character.
Here is the book you asked for.
Here comes the sun.
Here comes my bus.
Here comes your friend.
There is my sister!
There goes the bell.
There goes my money!
If the subject of the sentence beginning with "here" or "there" is expressed by a personal pronoun, the verb is placed after the subject.
Here it is. Here you are. Here you go.
There you are. There you go.
Here he comes. There he goes.
Here I am. There she is.
Here we go again.
Constructions with "so" and "neither"
Inversion is required in responses like "So do I" and "Neither do I". (See in the section Phrases.)
I like coffee. – So do I.
I don't like coffee. – Neither do I.
She will wait for them. – So will I.
She won't wait for them. – Neither will I.
Inversion is also required in compound sentences with such constructions.
I like coffee, and so does Ella.
I don't like coffee, and neither does Ella.
She will wait for them, and so will I.
She won't wait for them, and neither will I.
Conditional sentences
Inversion is required in the subordinate clause of conditional sentences in which the subordinating conjunction "if" is omitted. If the conjunction "if" is used, inversion is not used. Compare these conditional sentences in which inverted word order and standard word order are used.
Should my son call, ask him to wait for me at home. – If my son should call, ask him to wait for me at home. If my son calls, ask him to wait for me at home.
Were I not so tired, I would go there with you. – If I weren't so tired, I would go there with you.
Had I known it, I would have helped him. – If I had known it, I would have helped him.
(See "Absence of IF" in in the section Grammar.)
Inversion after direct speech
Inversion takes place in constructions with verbs like "said, asked, replied" placed after direct speech.
"I"ll help you," said Anton.
"What"s the problem?" asked the driver.
"I lost my purse," replied the woman.
If the subject of such constructions is expressed by a personal pronoun, the verb is usually placed after the subject.
"Thank you for your help," she said.
"Don"t mention it," he answered.
Note: Many examples of inverted constructions like "said he; said she; said I" (used interchangeably with "he said; she said; I said" after direct speech) can be found in literary works of the past centuries. For example: "I am not afraid of you," he said, smilingly. (Jane Austen) "Where is the Prince?" he said. (Charles Dickens) "That"s a fire," said I. (Mark Twain)
If verbs like "said, asked, replied" are used in compound tense forms, or if there is a direct object after "ask", inversion is not used. For example: "I"ll help you," Anton will say. "What"s the problem?" the driver asked her.
Standard word order is also used in constructions with verbs like "said, asked, replied" placed after direct speech, especially in American English. For example: "I"ll help you," Anton said. "What"s the problem?" the driver asked.
If verbs like "said, asked, replied" stand before direct speech, inversion is not used. For example: Nina said, "Let"s go home."
Inversion in exclamatory sentences
Inversion is sometimes used for emphasis in exclamatory sentences. Compare inverted and standard word order in the following exclamatory sentences.
Oh my, am I hungry! – I'm so hungry!
Oh boy, was she mad! - She was so mad!
Have we got a surprise for you! – We've got a surprise for you!
May all your wishes come true!
How beautiful are these roses! – How beautiful these roses are!
Inversion depending on the beginning of the sentence
The following cases of inversion occur when some parts of the sentence, for example, the adverbial modifier of place or direction, come at the beginning of the sentence. Inversion in such cases consists in moving the auxiliary verb, and in some cases the main verb (i.e., the whole tense form), into the position before the subject.
Such types of inversion are used for emphasis, mostly in literary works. It is advisable for language learners to use standard word order in such cases. The examples below are given in pairs: Inverted word order – Standard word order.
Inversion after "so", "such", "as"
So unhappy did the boy look that we gave him all the sweets that we had. – The boy looked so unhappy that we gave him all the sweets that we had.
Such was her disappointment that she started to cry. – Her disappointment was so strong that she started to cry.
Owls live in tree hollows, as do squirrels. – Owls and squirrels live in tree hollows.
As was the custom, three fighters and three shooters were chosen.
Inversion after adjectives and participles
Gone are the days when he was young and full of energy. – The days when he was young and full of energy are gone.
Blessed are the pure in heart.
Beautiful was her singing. – Her singing was beautiful.
Inversion after adverbial modifiers of place
Right in front of him stood a huge two-headed dragon. – A huge two-headed dragon stood right in front of him.
In the middle of the road was sitting a strange old man dressed in black. – A strange old man dressed in black was sitting in the middle of the road.
Behind the mountain lay the most beautiful valley that he had ever seen. – The most beautiful valley that he had ever seen lay behind the mountain.
Inversion after postpositions
The doors opened, and out ran several people. – Several people ran out when the doors opened.
Up went hundreds of toy balloons. – Hundreds of toy balloons went up.
If the subject is expressed by a personal pronoun, the verb is placed after the subject.
Are you ready? Off we go!
Out he ran. - He ran out.
Note: Direct object at the beginning of the sentence
Direct object is sometimes placed at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis. In such cases, the subject usually stands after the object, and the predicate follows the subject; that is, inverted word order is generally not used if the object is moved. Compare:
That we don't know. - We don't know that.
Those people I can ask. – I can ask those people.
Red dresses Lena doesn't like. – Lena doesn't like red dresses.
Inversion in negative constructions
Inversion is required in negative sentences beginning with the following negative adverbs and adverbial phrases: never; never before; not only...but also; not until; no sooner; at no time; on no account; under no circumstances.
Inversion also takes place in sentences beginning with the following adverbs and adverbial phrases used in a negative sense: rarely; rarely; hardly; scarcely; little; only when; only after; only then.
Inverted negative constructions are used for emphasis, mostly in formal writing and in literary works.
If you don"t need or don"t want to use emphatic inverted negative constructions, don"t put the above-mentioned expressions at the beginning of the sentence.
Compare the following examples of inverted and standard word order in sentences with such negative constructions. The first sentence in each group has inverted order of words.
Examples:
Never before have I felt such fear. – I have never felt such fear before.
Never in his life had he seen a more repulsive creature. – He had never in his life seen a more repulsive creature.
Not only did he spill coffee everywhere, but he also broke my favorite vase. – He not only spilled coffee everywhere but also broke my favorite vase.
Not only was the striking princessly beautiful, but she was also extremely intelligent. – The princess was not only strikingly beautiful but also extremely intelligent.
Not until much later did I understand the significance of that event. – I understood the significance of that event much later.
No sooner had she put down the phone than it started to ring again. – As soon as she put down the phone, it started to ring again. The phone started to ring again as soon as she put down the receiver.
At no time should you let him out of your sight. – You should not let him out of your sight at any time. Don't let him out of your sight even for a second.
Under no circumstances can she be held responsible for his actions. – She cannot be held responsible for his actions.
Rarely have I seen such a magnificent view. – I have rarely seen such a magnificent view.
Seldom do we realize what our actions might lead to. – We rarely realize what our actions might lead to.
Little did he know what his fate had in store for him. – He didn’t know what his fate had in store for him.
Hardly had I stepped into the house when the light went out. – I had hardly stepped into the house when the light went out.
Scarcely had he said it when the magician appeared. – He had scarcely said it when the magician appeared.
Only when I arrived at the hotel did I notice that my travel bag was missing. – I noticed that my travel bag was missing only when I arrived at the hotel.
Only after my guest left did I remember his name. – I remembered my guest's name only after he left.
Inversion
The standard word order in English declarative sentences is subject first, then verb. (See "Basic Word Order" in the Grammar section.) For example:
Lena went to the park yesterday.
I'm reading a book now.
This story is quite long.
She found her keys.
Changing the standard word order is called “inversion” (reversing word order). Inversion in English usually refers to placing an auxiliary, modal or main verb before the subject. Inversion is used for a specific purpose, often for emphatic emphasis. For example:
I have never seen such beauty before.
There may be another problem.
The witch and the monster ran away.
The words “standard word order; normal word order; normal word order" (i.e., subject first, then verb) does not mean that the reverse word order (i.e., verb first, then subject) is incorrect or abnormal.
Standard word order and reverse word order have different uses. For example, reverse word order is required in questions, which means that reverse word order is the normal word order for questions.
Note:
It is advisable for language learners to avoid using most of the reverse emphatic constructions described below. It is necessary to understand inversion, but in your speech and writing it is better to use standard, ordinary word order.
Cases of inversion that you really need to use in your speech include questions, the construction "there is, there are", sentences beginning with "here" or "there", and response phrases like "So do I; Neither do I" . Examples of other constructions with reverse word order are given here in two versions to compare reverse and standard word order.
Please note that the English inversion may not always be reflected in the Russian translation.
Typical cases of inversion
Inversion in questions
The most common type of inversion in English is to move the auxiliary verb to a position before the subject. This type of inversion is most often used in questions. For example:
Did Lena go to the park yesterday?
Did she find her keys?
Will he come to the party?
Is this story long?
How long is this story?
(More examples of questions can be found in the article "Word Order in Questions" in the Grammar section.)
Construction "there is, there are"
Inversion is required in the construction “there is, there are”, as well as in cases where a modal verb or main verb is used in such constructions.
There is an interesting article about Spain in today's newspaper.
There are several books on the table.
There must be a reason for this.
There can be no doubt about this.
There are several theories on this issue.
Once upon a time, in a small house by the sea, there lived an old man.
Inversion after "here" and "there"
Inversion occurs in sentences beginning with the adverb "here" or "there". Some phrases starting with "here" or "there" are idiomatic.
Here is the book you asked for.
The sun is rising.
Here comes my bus.
Here comes your friend.
Here (there) is my sister! / There's my sister!
And here comes the call.
So my money is gone!
If the subject of a sentence beginning with "here" or "there" is expressed by a personal pronoun, the verb is placed after the subject.
Here it is. / Here. / Here, take it.
Here he is. / Here he comes. There he comes.
Here I am. There she is.
Well, it's starting again.
Constructions with "so" and "neither"
Reverse word order is required in responses like "So do I" and "Neither do I". (See the article "So do I. Neither do I." in the Phrases section.)
I love coffee. - Me too.
I do not like coffee. - I also do not like).
She will wait for them. - Me too.
She won't wait for them. - Me too (I won’t).
Inversion is also required in complex sentences with such constructions.
I love coffee, and so does Ella.
I don't like coffee, and neither does Ella (she doesn't).
She will wait for them, and I too (will wait).
She won't wait for them and neither will I (won't).
Conditional sentences
Inversion is required in the subordinate clause of conditional sentences in which the subordinating conjunction "if" is omitted. If the conjunction "if" is used, inversion is not used. Compare these conditional sentences that use reverse word order and standard word order.
If my son calls, ask him to wait for me at home. – If my son calls, ask him to wait for me at home. If my son calls, ask him to wait for me at home.
If I weren't so tired, I would go there with you. – If I weren’t so tired, I would go there with you.
If I had known this (before), I would have helped him. – If I had known this (before), I would have helped him.
(See "Absence of IF" in the "Conditional Sentences" entry in the Grammar section.)
Inversion after direct speech
Inversion occurs in constructions with verbs like “said, asked, answered” that come after direct speech.
“I will help you,” Anton said.
"What is the problem?" – asked the driver.
“I lost my wallet,” the woman replied.
If the subject of such constructions is expressed by a personal pronoun, the verb is usually placed after the subject.
“Thank you for your help,” she said.
“No need for gratitude,” he replied.
Note: Many examples of constructions with reverse word order such as "said he; said she; said I" (used along with "he said; she said; I said" after direct speech) can be found in literary works past centuries. For example: "I am not afraid of you," he said, smilingly. (Jane Austen) "Where is the Prince?" he said. (Charles Dickens) "That"s a fire," said I. (Mark Twain)
If verbs like "said, asked, replied" are used in complex forms tenses, or if the direct object comes after "ask", inversion is not used. For example: "I"ll help you," Anton will say. "What"s the problem?" the driver asked her.
Standard word order is also used in constructions with verbs like "said, asked, answered" after direct speech, especially in American English. For example: "I"ll help you," Anton said. "What"s the problem?" the driver asked.
If verbs like "said, asked, replied" come before direct speech, inversion is not used. For example: Nina said, "Let's go home."
Inversion in exclamatory sentences
Inversion is sometimes used for emphasis in exclamatory sentences. Compare the backward and forward word order in the following exclamatory sentences.
Well, I'm hungry! - I'm so hungry!
Well, she got angry! - She was so angry!
What a surprise we have for you! – We have a surprise for you!
May all your wishes come true!
How beautiful these roses are! – How beautiful these roses are!
Inversion depending on the beginning of the sentence
The following cases of inversion occur when certain parts of a sentence, such as adverbs of place or direction, come at the beginning of the sentence. Inversion in such cases consists of moving the auxiliary verb, and in some cases the main verb (i.e. the entire tense form), to a position before the subject.
These types of inversions are used for emphatic emphasis, mainly in literary works. It is advisable for language learners to use direct word order in such cases. The examples below are given in pairs: Reverse word order – Direct word order.
Inversion after "so", "such", "as"
The boy looked so unhappy that we gave him all the candy we had. “The boy looked so unhappy that we gave him all the candy we had.”
Such was her disappointment that she began to cry. “Her disappointment was so strong that she began to cry.
Owls live in tree hollows, just like squirrels. – Owls and squirrels live in tree hollows.
As was customary, three fighters and three archers were chosen.
Inversion after adjectives and participles
Gone are the days when he was young and full of energy. “The days when he was young and full of energy are gone.
Blessed are the pure in heart.
Her singing was beautiful. – Her singing was beautiful.
Inversion after place circumstances
A huge two-headed dragon stood right in front of him. – A huge two-headed dragon stood right in front of him.
In the middle of the road sat a strange old man dressed in black. – A strange old man, dressed in black, was sitting in the middle of the road.
Behind the mountain lay the most beautiful valley he had ever seen. “The most beautiful valley he had ever seen lay behind the mountain.
Inversion after postpositions
The doors opened and several people ran out. “Several people ran outside when the doors opened.
Hundreds of children's balloons flew up. – Hundreds of children's balloons flew up.
If the subject is expressed by a personal pronoun, the verb is placed after the subject.
You are ready? Let's leave! (we leave; we drive away)
He ran outside. “He ran outside.
Note: Direct object at the beginning of a sentence
A direct object is sometimes placed at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis. In such cases, the subject usually follows the object, and the predicate follows the subject; that is, reverse word order is not usually used if the complement is moved. Compare:
We don't know this. – We don’t know that.
I can ask those people. – I can ask those people.
Lena doesn't like red dresses. – Lena doesn’t like red dresses.
Inversion in negative constructions
Inversion is required in negative sentences beginning with the following negative adverbs and adverbial combinations: never; never before; not only...but also; not until; no sooner; at no time; on no account; under no circumstances.
Inversion also occurs in sentences beginning with the following adverbs and adverbial combinations used in a negative sense: rarely; rarely; hardly; scarcely; little; only when; only after; only then.
Negative constructions with reverse word order are used for emphatic emphasis, mainly in formal writing and literary works.
If you do not need or want to use emphatic negative constructions with reversed word order, do not put the above expressions at the beginning of the sentence.
Compare the following examples of reverse and standard word order in sentences with such negative constructions. The first sentence in each group has the word order reversed.
Examples:
Never before have I felt such fear. “I have never felt such fear before.”
Never in his life had he seen a more disgusting creature. “He had never seen a more disgusting creature in his life.”
Not only did he spill coffee everywhere, but he also broke my favorite vase. “Not only did he spill coffee everywhere, but he also broke my favorite vase.”
The princess was not only strikingly beautiful, but she was also extremely intelligent. “The princess was not only strikingly beautiful, but also extremely intelligent.
It was only much later that I realized the significance/significance of that event. – I understood the significance of that event much later.
Before she had time to hang up / Hardly / As soon as she hung up, the phone rang again. – As soon as she hung up, the phone rang again. The phone rang again as soon as she hung up.
You should never let him out of your sight. “You should never let him out of your sight.” Don't let him out of your sight for a second.
Under no circumstances can she be held responsible for his actions. “She cannot be held responsible for his actions.”
Rarely have I seen such a magnificent view. “I have rarely seen such a magnificent view.”
Rarely do we realize what our actions can lead to. – We rarely realize what our actions can lead to.
He could not even imagine what fate had in store for him. “He didn’t know what fate had in store for him.”
Before I could enter / I had barely entered the house when the light went out. “I barely entered the house when the lights went out.
As soon as he said this, the wizard appeared. “He barely had time to say this when the wizard appeared.
It was only when I arrived at the hotel that I noticed that my travel bag was missing. – I noticed that my travel bag was missing only when I arrived at the hotel.
Only after my guest had left did I remember his name. – I remembered my guest’s name only after he left.
Inversion in English. Inverted and standard word order. Typical inverted constructions.
Inversion in English. Reverse and standard word order. Typical constructions with reverse word order.
Can he swim? - He can swim?
Do you really like tea? - Do you really like tea?
Have you seen my friend? -Have you seen my friend?
Questions are studied almost in the first lessons of the English language, so quite quickly they become an integral part of speech, and the word order characteristic of this type of sentence is an axiom.
However, it is precisely the change in the arrangement of the members of the sentence in the question that is the first and simplest type of inversion - grammatical.
What is inversion?
This is a stylistic device expressed in changing the usual word order in a sentence in order to emotionally highlight important information.
So, the word order in the affirmative English sentence looks like that:
- 1st Place - Subject
- 2nd Place - Predicate
- 3rd Place - Supplement
- 4th Place - Circumstance
- 5th Place - Definition
With grammatical inversion (namely, this is the name of the type of inversion used in the question), the word order changes: the predicate (auxiliary or modal verb) is put in first place, and the subject is in second place.
Grammatical inversion changes the meaning of a sentence, turning it from affirmative to interrogative, it is objective and does not depend on the personal attitude of the speaker and is subject to general grammatical rules.
But there are others, more complex species inversions that require close attention and deep study, since with the help of this stylistic device you can easily give expressiveness to the text.
This article will be devoted to a detailed consideration of cases of inversion.
Let's start!
Cases of inversion in English
Inversion and reversal there is/there are
The construction there is/there are is used to indicate the location (location) or existence of an object (person).
Example:
There is a box under the chair. - The box (is, is, lies) under the chair.
If the predicate in a sentence is expressed by the phrase there is/there are, followed by a noun with related words, and then a circumstance of place and time, then there is an inversion in the sentence.
The verb to be agrees with the noun that follows it and can be used in various tense forms.
Example:
There was a woman in my house. - There was a woman in my house.
Thus, in sentences with the construction there is/there are: there is an introductory particle; the verb to be is a predicate; the noun plays the role of the subject, and then the adverbial adverbial place follows.
Inversion and adverbs
1) In sentences beginning with adverbs here/there, if the subject is expressed by a noun, there is also inversion.
Example:
Here is my flat. - This is my apartment.
2) In sentences beginning with the adverbs hardlу, barely, scarcely, no sooner, never, rarely, rarely, nothing, not only and others, there is inversion when describing the sequence of actions.
Example:
- Hardly had he closed his new interesting book when his sister came home. - He barely had time to close his new interesting book when his sister came home.
- No sooner had the parents arrived at the birthday party than all guests began to clap. - As soon as the parents arrived for the birthday party, all the guests began to clap.
- Scarcely had she finished her lesson when somebody knocked at the door. - She had barely finished her lesson when someone knocked on the door.
3) Inversion after the adverb only (only).
Example:
Only after his words did I realize the meaning of his work. - Only after his words did I realize the significance of his work.
4) Adverb little with a negative meaning.
In such sentences, the inversion comes immediately after the adverb.
Example:
Little do you know about how happy you are to have such a wonderful opportunity for your future development. - You have no idea (poorly understand) how lucky you are to have such an opportunity for your further (future) development.
5) After adverbial expressions: at no time / in no way / on no account - never, in no way, in no way, under/in no circumstances - under no circumstances).
In such sentences, the inversion follows immediately after the adverb.
Example:
Under no circumstances are children allowed to be rude with their parents. - Under no circumstances are children allowed to be rude to their parents.
6) Adverbs + negative particle not: not until/not since.
Example:
Not until she saw her son with her own eyes did she believe he was really happy. - Until she saw her son with her own eyes, she did not believe that he was really happy.
Inversion and the modal verb may
Inversion with the modal verb may is used in exclamatory sentences, especially when talking about wishes.
The modal verb may stands before the subject and is translated into Russian in the future tense using the words “let” and “yes.”
Example:
May all your dreams come true! - May all your dreams come true!
Inversion and direct speech
Example:
"Where is my computer?" asked the teacher. - “Where is my computer?” asked the teacher.
- BUT, if in the author’s words the subject is expressed by a pronoun, then the word order does not change.
Example:
"What do you think?" he asked - “What do you think?” he asked.
Short sentences - replicas and inversion
In short replica sentences of confirmation or negation, with words such as so, nor and neither, inversion can be used.
Example:
I like this dress very much. - I really like this dress.
So do I. - Me too.
Conditionals and inversion
In conditional sentences with verbs: was, were, had, could, should, inversion is also possible.
To do this, the auxiliary verb is placed in first place and If is removed.
Example:
Had I seen this video I should have told him about it. - If I had seen this video, I would have told him about it.
This material touched upon only the most common cases of using such a stylistic device as inversion; there are other options for its use.
The inversion can be found in fiction, where it is actively used to enrich, decorate, emotionally enhance individual sentences and add brightness to the text.
Reading works of fiction will allow you to become more familiar with this stylistic device and make your speech even richer.
Behind smart word "inversion" lies the simplest grammatical thing. Inversion or inversion is a change in the places of words in a sentence and their subsequent rearrangement. When we talk about inversion, what is often meant is the reversal of the subject and the auxiliary verb, which appears even in affirmative sentences.
In English-language textbooks the following phrase is often found:
Invert the subject and the auxiliary verb.
Literally, this phrase translates as “swap the subject and auxiliary verb.”
Examples of inversion in English also occur in declarative sentences.
General question
Marina has come to the local park late.
Marina came to the park late.
Has Marina come to the local park late?
In order to form an interrogative sentence, the first two words were inverted.
Declarative sentences
Inversion occurs in declarative sentences. In this case, circumstance often comes first. Then follows the same diagram as in the question, namely: auxiliary verb – subject – predicate – object – circumstances.
James knew little about it.
James knew almost nothing about this.
Before rushing to invert the sentence. First, decide on the parts of speech.
So, James is the subject, knew is the predicate, little is the adverb, about it is the object.
Inversion in English, although it implies a violation of the order of words, has its own order, which is called reverse. When inverting, we put the adverb first, followed by the auxiliary verb. In this sentence we use . With inversion, the auxiliary verb is used even in affirmative sentences, so we need to put did. Next in line are the subject and predicate in the first. We conclude with all available additions and circumstances.
Little did James know about it.
James knew so little about it!
Inversion is used to place verbal emphasis. Therefore, Little still needs to be highlighted. So the following version of the inverted translation will sound better.
Adverbs are adverbs, but there are also phrases. Their clear sequence can be seen in the sentence below.
Sasha could open the door only this way.
Sasha could only open the door in this way.
Let's break it down by parts of speech:
- Sasha - subject;
- could – modal verb;
- open - main verb (aka infinitive);
- the door – addition;
- ONLY this way – a circumstance of the manner of action.
We find in a sentence a circumstance indicating the place, method and time of performing an action. Basically, such adverbs are adverbs. But very often there is a whole phrase that can be moved from the end to the beginning of a sentence. This is what we see.
Only this way could Sasha open the door.
This was the only way Sasha could open the door.
Inversion in a complex sentence
Original view:
She remembered the man’s name after he’d walked away.
She remembered the man's name after he left.
Inversion:
Only after he’d walked away did she remember the man’s name.
Only after he left did she remember the man's name.
If it so happens that the circumstance is not in the sentence, then you can invent it. Just do this action so that the meaning is not damaged. How to determine what to focus on?
Negative adverbs with which inversion is used
Not until Ruth sees it with her own eyes will she believe Mark.
Until Ruth sees it with her own eyes, she won't believe Mark.
Inversion is designed to emphasize a manner, circumstance, or action.
- Seldom
- Rarely
- Scarcely…when
- Hardly (ever)…when
- No sooner...then
- Not only...but also
- Little
- Barely
- Nowhere
- Not till/until
Inversion in conditional sentences
They can be non-union using inversion, see how it works:
If you should see Tom, tell him I am on my way. = Should you see Tom, tell him I am on my way. (1 type)
If I were you, I would buy this dress. = Were I you, I would buy this dress. (type 2)
If he had known, he would have made arrangements. = Had he known, he would have made arrangements. (type 3)
The author's words in direct speech
“Where is my own auto?” asked Noah.
“Where is my personal car? "Noah asked.
Sentences with inversion from literature
Worried by silence, sentries whisper, curious, nervous. But nothing happens. (T.S. Eliot).
…Out came the chaise, in went the horses, on sprang the boys, in got the travelers… (Ch. Dickens).
Inversion in English (or reverse word order) is usually associated with a change in the relative order of the subject and predicate. Almost all types of questions are formed using inversion; inversion in declarative sentences is usually used in written English.
Inversion of an auxiliary verb in English
After the following words and expressions, when they are used at the beginning of a sentence:
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Only in this way |
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Hardly ever...when |
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No sooner...than |
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Not only...but (also) |
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In/Under circumstances |
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Never before have they seen such a funny film – it was the funniest film they have ever seen
Seldom does he read books in English - he rarely reads books in English
Little did I think that this would be the prelude to the most crushing misfortune of my life - I never imagined that this event would be the prelude to the most crushing misfortune of my life
In conditional sentences:
The results would be wholly satisfying were it not for the fact that... - the results would be quite satisfactory if not for the fact that...
Note:
If the expressions: only after, only by, only if, only when, not until/till are at the beginning of the sentence, the word order changes in the main clause:
Only after she arrived in Kiev was she able to meet him - only after she arrived in Kyiv, she was able to meet him
Whole verb inversion
It is not the auxiliary verb that is placed in the position before the subject, but the entire verb form, that is, all available auxiliary verbs and main verb. This type of inversion in English is carried out when the adverbial adverbial place is placed at the beginning of the sentence. If the adverbial adverbial place is in the initial position, then inverted word order is possible in the sentence, that is, the predicate is in front of the subject. This phenomenon occurs especially often if the subject introduces a person or object that is new to the narrative. This rule does not apply only to subjects expressed by a pronoun:
Here she comes - here she comes
Here goes the bus - here the bus is coming
Verbs that introduce direct speech (say, ask, suggest, exclaim, etc.) require reverse word order if they appear after direct speech:
"Hush, mother!"whispered Kitty- “Hush, Mom!” Kitty whispered
The information contained in a proposal can be divided into more and less important parts. A sentence fragment that carries more important information, can be specially allocated. For emphasis, a modified word order can be used:
Crazy that man - crazy, this man
Despite the fact that, according to traditional English grammar, the preposition is always found before the word it refers to; in modern English, quite often prepositions are moved to the absolute end of the sentence. This movement occurs in the following cases:
In attributive clauses:
This is that English book (which/that) he was looking for - this is the English book he was looking for
Inversion in English also occurs with the words: so, neither, nor, as, to express agreement with something:
“I love Kiev.” “So do I” – I love Kyiv. And me too (in English so is used to agree with an affirmative sentence)
“I don't like violent films.” “Neither do I” – I don’t like violent films and neither do I (in English we use neither/nor to agree with a negative sentence)
With the following words should, were, had in a conditional sentence, instead of if, the reverse word order is also used:
Should he call, tell him I’m out - if he calls, say that I’m out
Were I in Kiev, I would visit you - if I were in Kyiv, I would visit you
The English language is known for its clear and structured word order. But even in English there is such a syntactic device as inversion, violating the direct word order in which the sentence usually appears. The reverse word order in English is needed precisely for inversion. This technique is used when solving some grammatical problems (such as constructing a question), to enhance emotions or change semantic accents.
Before starting a conversation about inversion, it is necessary to remember the generally accepted order in which each word of an English sentence appears:
Types of inversions
In modern English, there are three types of inversion of a noun (subject) and a verb (predicate).
- Grammatical inversion
- Gain inversion
- Stylistic inversion
Grammatical inversion
Such an inversion changes the grammatical meaning of the sentence and makes it interrogative. The reverse word order is achieved thanks to, which is placed at the beginning of the sentence, i.e. before the subject.
Can you ask George?-Can you ask George?
Where are you from?- Where you're from?
Should I speak to Mike?– Should I talk to Mike?
Gain inversion
Sometimes inversion is used in a sentence to add tension and emphasis.
Never before has he seen such inequity“He had never seen such injustice before.”
Stylistic inversion
This inversion is used to put logical emphasis on a statement and add emotional overtones to it. With stylistic inversion, the following can be placed at the beginning of a sentence: a predicate, an object, a circumstance.
Came awful days of fear and cruelty“The terrible days of fear and cruelty have come.
Complicated am I in my decisions– I am complicated in my decisions.
Strange things has she in mind“There are strange things in her head.”
Where and when is inversion used?
Most often, inversion is used in fiction to make narratives more colorful and brighter, or to emotionally highlight any part of the text. Most often inversion is used:
- In order to construct a question.
- After the words so, nor, neither, to give an answer, expressing your agreement or disagreement.
- After some negative adverbs (seldom, rarely, never and little).
- After a phrase that begins with only or not only.
- In exclamatory sentences, immediately after the words here and there.
Can you ask George about the exercise?-Can you ask George about the exercise?
So do I- As I.
Never has she felt so embarrassed She had never felt so embarrassed.
Only when the train arrived safely did my aunt settle down- Only when the train arrived safely did my aunt calm down.
Here is my word!- Here's my word for you!
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