Strange though it may seem · Try as I might · as did her sister · Gone are the days · That I can understand
Building on C1
Inversion and fronting for style
At B2 and C1 inversion was triggered by negative words, only, so / such and places. At C2 writers move words to the front to concede a point, compare, or set a tone.
Concessive inversion
Admitting something, then contrasting
adjective + though / as
Strange though it may seem, I enjoy exams.
noun
Child though she was, she understood everything. (no article)
try as …
Try as I might, I couldn't open it.
much as …
Much as I like him, I can't agree.
Comparative inversion
After as and than — formal
She studied law, as did her sister.
The new model uses less fuel than did its predecessor.
With a pronoun, no inversion: as she did, than it did.
Adjective and participle fronting
Descriptive, often literary
Gone are the days when we wrote letters.
Standing in the doorway was a tall stranger.
Equally important is the cost.
Fronting without inversion
Topic first, for contrast
That I can understand; this I can't.
Clever he certainly is, but kind he isn't.
What he wanted nobody knew.
Common mistakes
Where learners go wrong most often
Strange it may seem though, I like it.
→
Strange though it may seem, I like it.
adjective + though + subject + verb
A child though she was, she understood.
→
Child though she was, she understood.
no article in noun fronting
Try as I might, but I failed.
→
Try as I might, I failed.
no but after the concessive clause
She agreed, as did he it.
→
She agreed, as did he.
as + auxiliary + subject
Your turn
Answer out loud — full sentences
Use the C2 structures.
1
Admit something surprising: Strange though it may seem, I…
2
Describe a failure: Try as I might, …
3
Write one sentence about the past starting Gone are the days when…
4
Contrast two opinions with fronting: That I agree with; this…