Generally, an inversion is used to stress the uniqueness of an event and begins with a negative.
Generally, an inversion is used to stress the uniqueness of an event and begins with a negative.
Negative Adverbials Time expressions: never, rarely, seldom
These time expressions are used with a perfect form or with modals and often include comparatives.
Never have I been more insulted!
Seldom has he seen anything stranger
Time expressions: hardly, barely, no sooner, or scarcely : These time expressions are used when a there are a succession of events in the past
Scarcely had I got out of bed when the doorbell rang.
No sooner had he finished dinner, when she walked in the door.
‘Only’ is used with a time expression
Only then did I understand the problem.
Only after understanding the situation does the teacher make a comment
After ‘Little’ ‘Little’ is used in a negative sense
Little did he understand the situation.
Little have I read concerning nanotechnology
Inversion after ‘So’, ‘Such’, and ‘That’
‘So’ : So strange was the situation that I couldn’t sleep.
So difficult is the test that students need three months to prepare
‘Such’
‘So + to be + noun … (that)’: Such is the moment that all greats traverse.
Such is the stuff of dreams.
Inverted Conditional Forms
Sometimes conditional forms are inverted as a means of sounding more formal. In this case, the conditional ‘if’ is dropped and the inverted forms takes the place of the ‘if clause’
Had he understood the problem, he wouldn’t have committed those mistakes.
Should he decide to come, please telephone
