Inversion & Emphasis

Reference

Common mistakes

1. So tired she was that she fell asleep. → So tired was she that she fell asleep.
   inversion of aux/be + subject
2. Such the storm was that flights cancelled. → Such was the storm that flights were cancelled.
   such + be + subject (no "the" before storm here)
3. Only when she left, he understood. → Only when she left did he understand.
   only + clause triggers inversion in main clause

Inversion & Emphasis — Exercises

Choose the inversion

Circle the correct answer.

1. So tired _____ that she fell asleep on the bus. (was she / she was / she is)
2. _____ the storm that all flights were cancelled. (Such was / So was / Such)
3. Only after the match _____ how tired I was. (did I realise / I realised / I did realise)
4. In the corner _____ an old piano. (stood / it stood / was standing it)
5. _____ you require assistance, please ask. (Should / Had / Were)
6. Not until I got home _____ I had lost my keys. (did I notice / I noticed / I did notice)
7. So quickly _____ that nobody could catch him. (did he run / he ran / ran he)
8. Little _____ that the party was for her. (did she know / she knew / knew she)

Key word transformation

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

1. She was so nervous that she forgot her lines. (SO) →   that she forgot her lines.
2. I only understood when I read the letter. (ONLY) →   the letter did I understand.
3. The noise was so loud that we left. (SUCH) →   the noise that we left.
4. I didn't realise until later. (NOT) →   later did I realise.
5. She had no idea what was happening. (LITTLE) →   what was happening.
6. A large oak tree stood on the hill. (STOOD) → On the hill  .

Inversion & Emphasis — Answer Key

Choose the inversion

1. was she — So + adjective + be + subject…
2. Such was — Such was + noun + that…
3. did I realise — Only after + phrase → inversion in the main clause: did I realise.
4. stood — Locative inversion: place + verb + subject → stood an old piano.
5. Should — Formal condition → Should you require.
6. did I notice — Not until … → did I notice.
7. did he run — So + adverb + did + subject + verb.
8. did she know — Little + did she know = she had no idea.

Key word transformation

1. So nervous was she
2. Only when I read
3. Such was
4. Not until
5. Little did she know
6. stood a large oak tree