Inversion

What is inversion?

Inversion is when we change the subject and the finite verb in the sentences.

When do we use it?

We use inversion to show emphasis or authority.

Common ways to use inversion are with negative or near negative adverbs.

For example:

• Negative: no, not or never. (True negatives)
• Near negative: hardly ever, rarely, seldom, not nearly, unfortunate, no sooner, etc. (They are all below sometimes)

Inverted sentences must always have:

1. an anxiliary verb,
2. a negative or near negative adverb.

Example:

• I have never eaten pizza.

  Never have I eaten pizza.

• I rarely go to the beach.

  Rarely do I go to the beach. (Sentences with only one verb require an anxiliary too to do inversion.)

• My friend seldom eats tomato.

  Seldom does my friend eat tomato.

• I had no sooner eaten lunch than my boss called me.

  No sooner had I eaten lunch than my boss called me. (Formal language).

  I had just eaten my lunch when my boss called me. (Informal)

• I had hardly (just) graduated from university when I got a great job.

  I had hardly (just) graduated from university than I was contacted by my new boss.

  Hardly had I gratuated from univerty when I got a great job.

• Rarely have I seen such beauty.

  Rarely do I eat raclette because I never get the chance.

• Never do I play video game, watch TV, or use the internet.

No sooner ... than, hardly ... than, ... when

No sooner - almost no break.

• I called the pizza shop and the pizza came straight away.
• No sooner had I called the pizza shop than it arrived.
• No sooner had I got home than the phone rang.

Hardly

Example 1:

• I had hardly finished my first year of university when the second one began.

  Hardly had I finished my first year of university than the second one began.

• I had hardly finished talking to my friend on the phone when he arrived at my door.

  Hardly had I finished talking to my friend on the phone when he arrived at my door.

If conditionnal

Only if = a rule or condition, like must.

• You must eat all your vegetables or you cannot play with your friends.

  Only if you eat all your vegetables can you play with your friends.

• You can leave work at 5pm if you finish all your tasks.

  If you finish all your tasks, you can leave work at 5pm.

  Only if you finish your tasks, can you leave work at 5pm.