Inversion after negative and limiting adverbials
Putting the auxiliary before the subject after Never, Rarely, Hardly...when, No sooner...than, Not only and Only.
Inversion means putting the auxiliary verb (or 'do/does/did') before the subject, exactly as we do in questions, but here it happens in statements for emphasis. We use it when a sentence begins with a negative or limiting adverbial that is moved to the front for dramatic effect. After expressions such as Never, Rarely, Seldom, Little, Nowhere and Not until, we invert: 'Never have I seen such a mess' (not 'Never I have seen'). After Hardly/Scarcely...when and No sooner...than, which describe one event quickly following another, we invert in the first clause: 'Hardly had we sat down when the phone rang'; 'No sooner had she left than it started to rain'. After 'Not only...(but also)' we invert the first clause: 'Not only did he apologise, but he also paid for the damage'. After 'Only' phrases (Only then, Only after, Only by) we invert the MAIN clause. If there is no other auxiliary, we add do/does/did. For example: 'Not only did she pass the exam, but she also got the highest mark in the class.'
Rules
- 1Inversion = auxiliary/do-does-did BEFORE the subject, used after a fronted negative or limiting adverbial: 'Seldom does he complain.'
- 2After Never, Rarely, Seldom, Little, Nowhere, Not until/since at the start of a sentence, invert: 'Never have I been so happy.'
- 3Hardly/Scarcely + had + subject + past participle + WHEN...; No sooner + had + subject + past participle + THAN... (mind 'when' vs 'than').
- 4After 'Not only' at the front, invert the first clause and often add 'but also' later: 'Not only did they win, but they also broke the record.'
- 5After 'Only + time/manner phrase' (Only then, Only after, Only by working hard) invert the main clause; add do/does/did if there is no other auxiliary.
Practice
15 easy · 15 medium · 15 hard