Inversion and Emphasis

Reference

Common mistakes

1. Never I have seen such a film. → Never have I seen such a film.
   aux before subject
2. Hardly I had arrived when she called. → Hardly had I arrived when she called.
   aux before subject after hardly
3. No sooner I had sat down when it rang. → No sooner had I sat down than it rang.
   no sooner ... than (not when)

Inversion and Emphasis — Exercises

Choose the correct inversion

Circle the correct answer.

1. Never _____ such a beautiful sunset. (have I seen / I have seen / I saw)
2. Rarely _____ late for school. (is she / she is / she was)
3. No sooner had we sat down _____ the phone rang. (than / when / that)
4. Hardly had I arrived _____ it started to rain. (when / than / that)
5. Not only _____ the match, but she also broke a record. (did she win / she won / she did win)
6. Under no circumstances _____ this door. (should you open / you should open / open you)
7. _____ I known, I would have come. (Had / If / Have)
8. Only then _____ the truth. (did I realise / I realised / I did realise)

Key word transformation

Complete the second sentence so it means the same as the first. Use the word in capitals.

1. I've never eaten such good pizza. (NEVER) →   such good pizza.
2. She rarely complains. (RARELY) →  .
3. As soon as I got home, it started snowing. (SOONER) → No   home than it started snowing.
4. If you need help, call me. (SHOULD) →   help, call me.
5. He is funny and he is kind too. (ONLY) → Not   funny, but he is also kind.
6. If I had known, I would have helped. (HAD) →  , I would have helped.

Inversion and Emphasis — Answer Key

Choose the correct inversion

1. have I seen — Never at the start → auxiliary before subject: have I seen.
2. is she — Rarely at the start → is she.
3. than — No sooner … than.
4. when — Hardly … when.
5. did she win — No auxiliary in the original → add did: did she win.
6. should you open — should you open — modal before subject.
7. Had — Inverted third conditional: Had I known = If I had known.
8. did I realise — Only then → did I realise.

Key word transformation

1. Never have I eaten
2. Rarely does she complain
3. sooner had I got
4. Should you need
5. only is he
6. Had I known