INVERSION

A. The verb comes before the subject:

I. When a sentence begins with ADVERBS OF PLACE + an intransitive verb of movement (sit,
stand, lie, be, stay, walk, run, fly, …)
- The dog lies in the yard.
⇨ In the yard lies the dog.
- The girl is in the bedroom.
⇨ In the bedroom is the girl.
- He sat on the roof of the house.
⇨ On the roof of the house sat he he sat.
*Note: This type of inversion is used when:
+ The subject is a noun, not personal pronoun.
+ We can use a main verb without an auxiliary verb or modal verb.
II. ADVERBS OF DIRECTION such as “Down, in, out, up, along, away, back, off” + some verbs
“come, fly, go”. This pattern is found particularly in narrative to mark a change in events:
- The door opened and in came the doctor. (less formally,…and the doctor came in.)
- As soon as I let of the string, up went the balloon, high into the sky. (less formally,…the balloon went up.)
- Suddenly down came the rain! (less formally,…the rain came down.)
*Note: We use inversion when the subjects are nouns not pronouns
Down came the rain with terrific force; up went the umbrellas. (but it came down, they went up)
III. Here comes + noun/ There goes + noun, to talk about things or people moving towards or
away from the speaker.
- Here comes the bus.
- There goes Nigel slater, the footballer.
*Note: Here comes… is used to say that something is going to happen soon, and There goes… is used to talk
about thing (particularly money ) being lost and used to say that something (such as a phone or doorbell) is
ringing:
- Here comes lunch.
- My bike’s been stolen. There goes $1000!
- There goes the phone. Can you answer it?

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B. The auxiliary comes before the subject and the rest of the verb phrase follows the subject:
I. After NEGATIVE ADVERBIALS:
1.
+ Never (before), at no time (never)
+ Hardly ever, seldom, rarely, barely, scarcely
+ Nowhere
+ No sooner …than/ Hardly, barely, scarcely … when
+ Little

- He has never thought of himself as a man of success.

=> At no time (= Never) has he thought of himself as a man of success.
- I couldn’t find the boy anywhere = The boy was nowhere to be found.
=> Nowhere was the boy to be found = Nowhere could the boy be found.
- You won’t find a more dedicated worker anywhere than Mrs. Jones.
=> Nowhere will you find a more dedicated worker than Mrs. Jones.
*More:
- Rarely can a minister have been faced with such a problem
- Seldom has the team given a worse performance.
- Little does the government appreciate what the results will be.
- Rarely had I had so much responsibility.
- Hardly had the train left the station, when there was an explosion.
- Scarcely had I entered the room when the phone rang.
- No sooner had I reached the door than I realized it was locked.
2. A sentence beginning with “ONLY”:
a. Only + time expression: only after, only when, only if, only later, only then, only once
- Only later did she realize that she had been given the wrong change.
- Only when she apologizes will I speak to her again.
- Only after posting the letter did I remember that I had forgotten to put on a stamp.
b. Only + other prepositional phrases: Only by…, only in…, only with…
- Only by chance had Carl discovered where the birds were nesting.
- Maria had to work in the evenings. Only in this way was she able to complete the report.
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*Note: Only (the state of being the only one): NO INVERSION
E. g.: Only Mary can give you the satisfactory explanation. (Not: Only can Mary…)

c. Expressions such as: in no way, on no account, under/ in no circumstances:

+ In/ under no circumstances: used to emphasize that something should never happen or be allowed
+ On no account: not for any reason
- You shouldn’t press this button under any circumstances.
⇨ Under no circumstances should you press this button.
- You aren’t allowed to reveal this secret on any account.
⇨ On no account are you allowed to reveal this secret.
d. Expressions with NOT: not only, not until, not since, not + a noun, not for a moment
- He not only works hard but he also takes good care of his little family.
=> Not only does he work hard but he also takes good care of his little family.
- She had not written a word since the exam had started.
=> Not a word had she written since the exam had started.
- The government did not order an inquiry into the accident until August.
=> Not until August did the government order an inquiry into the accident.
- Miguel didn’t find that his coat had gone until the train pulled into the station.
=> Not until the train pulled into the station did Miguel find that his coat had gone.
- She hadn’t tasted such delicious food since she lived in Tuscany.
=> Not since she lived in Tuscany had she tasted such delicious food.
II. Conditional sentences:
1. Type 1: Should + S+ (not) bare infinitive, main clause
- If I see Peter tomorrow, I’ll show him this agreement.
=> Should I see Peter tomorrow, I’ll show him this agreement.
- If Tom doesn’t come tomorrow, things will go wrong.
=> Should Tom not come tomorrow, things will go wrong.
2. Type 2: Were + S + (not) to V, main clause
- If I were you, I would love him.
=> Were I (to be) you, I would love him.
- If you had a million dollars now, what would you do?
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=> Were you to have a million dollars now, what would you do?
- If Mary were doing her homework now, she couldn’t call you.
=> Were Mary (to be) doing her homework now, she couldn’t call you.
- If it were not for your help, I would never complete the project.
=> Were it not for your help, I would never complete the project.
=> But for/Without
3. Type 3: Had + S + (not) + PP, main clause
- If my mother hadn’t forced me to go into this field, I wouldn’t be in this dilemma.
=> Had my mother not forced me to go into this field, I wouldn’t be in this dilemma.
- If she hadn’t been waiting for such a long time, she wouldn’t have gotten so angry.
=> Had she not been waiting for such a long time, she wouldn’t have gotten so angry.
- If it had not been for your assistance, I would have failed.
=> Had it not been for your assistance, I would have failed.
=> But for/Without
III. No longer/ No more:
- Tom used to be my best friend.
=> No longer is Tom my best friend.
- He no longer loves her so much.
=> No longer does he love her so much.
- He often went to bed late last year.
=> No longer does he go to bed late now.
IV. So and such
1. So + adj/ adv + Aux + S + that + clause: to give special emphasis to the adjective.
- He worked so hard that he forgot his lunch.
=> So hard did he work that he forgot his lunch.
- The play is so popular that theater is likely to be full every night.
=> So popular is the play that theater is likely to be full every night
2. Such + Be + Noun + that + clause: to emphasis the extent or degree of something.
- The play is so popular that the theater is likely to be full every night.
=> Such is the popular play/popularity of the play that the theater is likely to be full every night.
V. “As” and “Than” in comparisons:
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 - Paper was invented in China, as was the process of printing. (or…as the process of printing was.)
- Most young people did not vote in the election, as was the case in 2010. (or… as the case in 2010 was.)
- Research shows that parents watch more television than do their children. (or….than their children
do.)
*Note: No inversion when the subject is a pronoun.
- We now know a lot more about the universe than we did ten years ago.
VI. “Neither” and “Nor”: when these words begin a clause to introduce a negative addition to a
previous negative clause or sentence
- For some time after the explosion Jack couldn’t hear, and neither could he see.
- The council never wanted the new supermarket to be built, nor did local residents.
*Note: We can also use inversion in “Neither/ Nor do I, Neither/ Nor does Diane” and in “So do I, So does
Maya”

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 EXERCISES
I. Complete the sentences with an appropriate preposition and a form of either come or go.
Down off along away up back in out
1. We'd just got to the top of the hill when down came the rain and we got thoroughly soaked.
2. Just when you've bought a computer that you think will last a lifetime, _____out comes/ along
comes________some new software that needs an even bigger hard disk.
3. Whenever I ask the class a question, ___up go__________ their hands and they sit patiently until I
choose one of them to answer.
4. I asked Dave to get three kilos of potatoes from the supermarket and he only bought one, so
____back/ away__________he_____went________ to get some more.
5. After I'd been waiting for an hour, the door opened and____in came_________the nurse, who said the
dentist would be able to see me now.
6. We'd given up hope of getting the cat out of the tree, when _____up/ along came__________ a man with a
ladder.
7. As soon as I'd given Jo some pocket money,_____away/ off_____ she___went________ to buy sweets
from the shop.
II. Match the most likely sentence halves and then make new sentences beginning Were...,
Should..., or Had...
1. If McGrath had not resigned as party a. it would cut the journey time from
leader, .. New York to Tokyo by 4 hours.
2. If you do not wish to receive further b. there are less expensive models in the range.
information about our products, ….. c. he would have been sacked.
3. If the plane were ever to be built,… d. I would have no hesitation in accepting.
4. If United win again today, … e. he would be writing novels about the
5. If I were to be asked to take the job,… homeless in London.
6. If a car had been coming in the other f. it is unlikely that the country would have
direction,… supported the government.
7. If there had been a referendum on the issue, … g. it will be their tenth consecutive victory.
8 If you are not able to afford the Rombus h. put a tick in the box.
2000,… i. I might have been seriously injured.
9. If Charles Dickens were alive today,…

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1+c: Had McGrath not resigned as party leader, he would have been sacked.
2+h: Should you not wish to receive further information about our products, put a tick in the box.
3+a: Were the plane to be built, it would cut the journey time from New York to Tokyo by 4 hours.
4+g: Should United win again today, it will be their tenth consecutive victory.
5+d: Were I to be asked to take the job, I would have no hesitation in accepting.
6+i: Had a car been coming in the other direction, I might have been seriously injured.
7+f: Had there been a referendum on the issue, it is unlikely that the country would have supported the
government.
8+b: Should you not be able to afford the Rombus 2000, there are less expensive models in the range.
9+e: Were Charles Dicken to be alive today, he would be writing novels about the
homeless in London.

III. Write new sentences using as or than + be or do.

1. Compared with their counterparts 20 years ago, the highly educated now receive vastly higher
salaries.
The highly educated now receive vastly higher salaries than did their counterparts 20 years ago.
2. I was opposed to the new road being built. Everyone else in the village was opposed to it, too.
I was opposed to the new road being built, as was everyone else in the village.
3. Karen went to Oxford University. Her mother and sister went there, too.
Karen went to Oxford University, as did her mother and sister.
4. Compared with people in developed nations, people in poorer countries consume a far smaller
proportion of the earth's resources.
People in poorer countries consume a far smaller proportion of the earth’s resources than do those in developed
nations.
5. Compared to 5 years ago, he is a much better teacher.
He is a much better teacher (now) than he was 5 years ago.
6. Don is a keen golfer. His wife is a keen golfer, too.
Don is a keen golfer, as is his wife.
IV. Write new sentences with a similar meaning beginning with one of these words and phrases.

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only if barely only with rarely at no time little
1 A new film has not often before produced such positive reviews.
Rarely has a new film produced such positive reviews.
2 The public was never in any danger.
At no time was the public in danger.
3 He only felt entirely relaxed with close friends and family.
Only with close friends and family did he feel entirely relaxed.
4 The match won't be cancelled unless the pitch is frozen.
Only if the pitch is frozen will the match be cancelled.
5 I didn't know then that Carmen and I would be married one day.
Little did I know then that Carmen and I would be married one day.
6 He had only just entered the water when it became clear he cou ldn't swim.
Barely had he entered the water when it became clear he couldn't swim.
Now do the same using these words and phrases.
only once only in on no account hardly not only not for one moment
7. You must not light the fire if you are alone in the house.
On no account must/ should/you light/ are you to light the fire if you are alone in the house.
8. There was never any competitiveness between the three brothers.
Not for one moment was there any competitiveness between the three brothers.
9. I wasn't only wet through, I was freezing cold.
Not only was I wet through, but I was also freezing cold.
10. I had only ever climbed this high once before.
Only once had I climbed this high before.
11. The audience had only just taken their seats when the conductor stepped on to the stage.
Hardly had the audience taken their seats when the conductor stepped on to the stage.
12. He has only been acknowledged to be a great author in the last few years.
Only in the last few years has he been acknowledged to be a great author.
V. Complete these sentences in any appropriate way. You can use the following words in your answers.
alike boring complicated dominance interest strength
1 Such is the interest in Dr Lowe's talk that it will be held in a bigger lecture theatre.
2 Such was the strength of the earthquake that few buildings were left standing in the town.
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3 Such is his dominance in the sport that he hasn't lost a match for over three years.
4 So alike were the twins that even their parents couldn't tell them apart.
5 So complicated was the problem that it even took a computer three days to solve it.
6 So boring was the lesson that most of the students went to sleep.
VI. Transformation
1. He never sleeps on the floor.
Never does he sleep on the floor.
2. I have never seen such a sunset.
Rarely have I never seen such a sunset.
3. They no longer work for my father.
No longer do they work for my father.
4. He hardly speaks to anyone.
Hardly does he speak to anyone
5. We seldom saw such an amazing display of dance.
Seldom did we see such an amazing display of dance.
6. You couldn’t find a better restaurant anywhere.
Nowhere could you find a better restaurant.
7. You can’t use my car at any time.
At no time can you use my car.
8. There are no circumstances where audience members may consume alcohol.
Under no circumstances may audience members consume alcohol.
9. You shouldn’t trespass this door under any circumstances.
Under no circumstances should you trespass this door.
10. Visitors are not allowed to feed the animals on any account.
On no account are visitors allowed to feed the animals.
11. This switch must not be touched on any account.
On no account must this switch be touched.
12. She won’t tell lies for any reason.
On no account will she tell lies.
13. The company will not bear responsibility for lost property on any condition.
On no account/ condition will the company bear responsibility for lost property.
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 14. This machine only works in this way.
Only in this way does this machine work.
15. You can only solve this puzzle by guessing.
Only by guessing can you solve this puzzle.
16. He could only reach the shelf by standing on the chair.
Only by standing on the chair could he reach the shelf.
17. We will only find a solution by patience and hard work.
Only by patience and hard work will we find a solution.
18. The gang didn’t know that the police had them under surveillance.
Little did the gang know that the police had them under surveillance.
19. He had no idea that the treasure had been hidden in his garden.
Little did he have any idea/ know that the treasure had been hidden in his garden.
20. They not only rob you, they smash everything too.
Not only do they rob you but they also smash everything./ they smash everything too.
21. He is not only good at English but (also) can draw very well.
Not only is he good at English but he can also/ but also he can draw very well.
22. Harry not only missed the train but (also) lost his case.
Not only did Harry miss the train but he also lost his case./ but also he lost his case.
Not only Harry missed the train but he also lost his case.
23. She not only forgot my birthday, but also didn't apologize for forgetting it.
Not only did she forget my birthday, she also didn’t apologize for forgetting it.
24. All the food had been prepared and the table had been laid as well.
Not only had all the food been prepared, the table had been laid as well.
25. I didn't notice my glass was broken until I filled it.
Not until I filled my glass did I notice it was broken.
It was not until I filled my glass that I noticed it was broken.
26. I only noticed my glass was broken when I filled it.
Only when I filled my glass did I notice it was broken.
27. He didn't find out the truth until much later.
Not until much later did he find out the truth.
28. She hadn't tasted such delicious food since she lived in Tuscany.
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Not since she lived in Tuscany had she tasted such delicious food.
29. As soon as I got into the bath, someone knocked at the door.
No sooner had I gotten into the bath than someone knocked at the door.
30. She had hardly begun to speak before people started interrupting her;
Hardly had she begun to speak before/when people started interrupting her.
31. Just after solving one problem, I was faced with another.
Scarcely had I solved one problem, when I was faced with another.
32. The judge was taken ill just after the trial proceedings began.
Barely had the trial proceedings begun when the judge was taken ill.
33. Both Bill and Tom like golf.
(TOO) Bill likes golf, Tom likes golf too./ and Tom does, too.
(SO) Bill likes golf, and so does Tom.
34. Neither he nor I liked the film.
(EITHER) He didn’t like the film. and I didn’t either.
(NOR) He didn’t like the film, nor did I.
(NEITHER) He didn’t like the film, and neither did I.
35. She was very religious, as most of her friends were. (AS)
She was very religious as were most of her friends.
36. The cake was excellent, the coffee was excellent too. (AS)
The cake was excellent as was the coffee.
37. She neither phoned me nor dropped me a line.
(NOR) She didn’t phone me, nor did she drop me a line.
(NEITHER) She didn’t phone me, neither did she drop me a line.
38. I was so happy that I bought flowers for everybody in class.
So happy was I that I bought flowers for everybody in class.
39. The exam was so difficult that few of the students passed it.
So difficult was the exam that few of the students passed it.
40. She left so quickly that we did not even realize she was gone.
So quickly did she leave that we did not even realize she was gone.
41. He worked so hard that he forgot his lunch.
So hard did he work that he forgot his lunch.
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42. The play is so interesting that the theatre is likely to be full every night.
So interesting is the play that the theatre is likely to be full every night.
43. He bought so many books that he couldn't read them all.
So many books did he buy that he couldn't read them all.
44. Alice has so much homework that she can't finish it all.
So much homework does Alice have that she can't finish it all.
45. She danced so much that she couldn't walk afterwards.
So much did she dance that she couldn't walk afterwards.
46. The force of the storm was so great that trees were uprooted.
Such was the force of the storm that trees were uprooted.
47. The excitement was so great that we all couldn't sleep.
Such was the excitement that we all couldn’t sleep.
48. My love for you is so deep that even the oceans can't compare.
Such is my love for you that even the oceans can’t compare.
49. If I should change my mind, I will let you know.
Should I change my mind, I will let you know.
50. If you should hear the fire alarm, leave the building at once.
Should you hear the fire alarm, leave the building at once.
51. If I were you, I would accept his offer.
Were I you, I would accept his offer.
52. If he were to agree, he would probably become the next president.
Were he to agree, he would probably become the next president.
53. If she were not shy, she would have a good time at the party.
Were she not to be shy, she would have a good time at the party.
54. If it were not for his help, I would never complete the project.
Were it not for his help, I would never complete the project.
55. If I had been told earlier, I would have reacted differently.
Had I been told earlier, I would have reacted differently.
56. If I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't have believed it.
Had I not seen it, I wouldn't have believed it.
57. If it had not been for your assistance, I would have failed.
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Had it not been for your assistance, I would have failed.
58. A small cottage stood on the other side of the river.
On the other side of the river stood a small cottage.
59. A cat sat in the middle of the floor.
In the middle of the floor sat a cat.
60. His faithful dog lay at his feet.
At his feet lay his faithful dog.
61. The boy ran away.
Away ran the boy/ the boy ran.
62. The rain came down.
Down came the rain.
63. The knights came round the corner.
Round the corner came the knights.
64. The birds flew away.
Away flew the birds/ the bird flew.
65. He's coming.
Here he comes.
66. The bus is coming.
Here comes the bus.
67. She's going.
There she goes.
68. The bell is ringing.
There goes the bell.
69. All the money we had lost was on the table.
On the table was all the money we had lost.
70. A priceless necklace was lost among the cheap plastic beads.
Lost among the cheap plastic beads was a priceless necklace.

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