Subject and verb inversion

Subject and verb inversion. English grammar with exercises. Free eBook and Free printable PDF. Esl printable Worksheets

Subject and verb inversion

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Subject and verb inversion

When does inversion happen?

The most common type of inversion is question word order (see above). Inversion also happens in other situations.

Negative adverbs

In formal styles, when we use an adverb with negative meaning (e.g. never, seldom, rarely, scarcely, hardly) in front position for emphasis, we invert the subject (s) and auxiliary (aux)/modal verb:

Never [AUX]have [S]we witnessed such cruel behaviour by one child to another. (or We have never witnessed …)

Seldom does one hear a politician say ‘sorry’. (or One seldom hears …)

Expressions beginning with not

We also invert the subject and verb after not + a prepositional phrase or a clause in initial position:

Not for a moment did I think I would be offered the job, so I was amazed when I got it.

Not till I got home did I realise my wallet was missing.

Here and there

Inversion can happen after here, and after there when it is as an adverb of place. After here and there, we can use a main verb without an auxiliary verb or modal verb:

Here comes the bus!

Here’s your coffee.

I opened the door and there stood Michael, all covered in mud.

She looked out and there was Pamela, walking along arm in arm with Goldie.

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Exercises

Subject and verb inversion

EXERCISE 1.

Choose the correct sentence.

e.g. No sooner had she left than the phone rang…………………………………………………..correct

No sooner hadn’t she left than the phone rang.

• On no account she should be invited to the party
• On no account should she be invited to the party
• I won’t pay that bill under no circumstances
• Under no circumstances will I pay that bill
• Hardly had she introduced herself to him when she realised she already knew him
• Hardly she had introduced herself to him when she realised she already knew him
• Seldom have I been to such beautiful places!
• Seldom I have been to such beautiful places!
• I couldn’t help him in no way
• In no way could I help him
• You should go out, remember to bring an umbrella
• Should you go out, remember to bring an umbrella

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EXERCISE 2.

Re-write the following sentences using the prompts.

e.g. She hardly knew who he was

Hardly: hardly did she know who he was

• 1. The patient shouldn’t be left alone under any circumstance.
• Under_______________________________________
•      If you should happen to meet Magnus, tell him to call me!
• Should______________________________________
•     We hardly knew where we were going
• Hardly______________________________________
•     He had scarcely started reading when he fell asleep
• Scarcely_____________________________________
•     I have rarely seen such a scene!
• Rarely______________________________________
• 6. She never asked for help
• At no time ___________________________________________

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VERB INVERSION

EXERCISE 1.

Rewrite the following sentences using inversion and the prompts given.

• He was so hungry that he ate the whole cake in less then 5 minutes.
• So _________________________________________
• I had heard so many rumours about Mary and Kevin that I didn’t know what to believe anymore.
• So _________________________________________
• Look ! Jennifer is coming!
• Here _______________________________________
• The students had hardly started the exam when the fire bell rang.
• Hardly  ___________________________________
• I knew so little about the whole situation that I didn’t want to express my opinion.
• So little  ____________________________________
• I can’t speak Japanese. Neither ____________________
• 7. I was so angry that I shouted at Helen.
• Such _________________________________________
•   The dog jumped up and the cat jumped down.
• Up ________________________________________
•   We had heard so much about Harry’s job that we felt we could probably do it ourselves.
• So much  ____________________________________
• They have never been to Chile.
•  Neither  ____________________________

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