Grammar for Webheads

Subject - Verb Inversions Excercises by Vance Stevens

Explanation of the grammar point (sent to us by Felix)

Reversal of word order

Just do the exercise

Compare the examples below:

1. Susan has NEVER been so aggressive.
2. NEVER has Susan been so aggressive.

As you can see, in example 2 the adverb NEVER was used at the beginning of the sentence and, consequently, the order of the subject and verb was reversed. Instead of "Susan has never," the construction "NEVER has Susan"was used. This kind of construction is used for EMPHASIS.

Notice that in everyday speech we can emphasize words by using the proper intonation: Susan have NEVER been so aggressive. (emphasizing NEVER). However, for obvious reasons, intonation cannot be expressed in writting. Thus, for the purpose of emphasis, we can place certain adverbs, adverbial expressions, and negative conjunctions at the beginning of a sentence. As a result, a reversal of word order occurs.

The same holds true when it comes to formal rhetoric whem, for example, one is giving a lecture.

Now let's take a look at some common cases in which the order of subject and verb is reversed.

A) After adverbial expressions of negation with NO, NOT, NEVER, NEITHER:

• In no/neither case WOULD I accept your offer.
• On no account SHOULD you accept his money.
• Not until he gets sick WILL he stop drinking.
• Never HAVE I seen such a stupid person.

B) After adverbial expressions that have a NEGATIVE EFFECT:

• Little did she realize how she had hurt my feelings.
• Seldom/Rarely does Tom mean what he says.

C) After adverbial expressions with ONLY:

• Mr Brown asked everybody to leave us alone. Only then WAS I able to speak to him about my problem.
• Only after a three-hour delay did their flight leave.
• Only later did I recognize him.
• Only by studying hard will you pass this course.

D) After negative conjunctions such as NOT ONLY, NO SOONER... THAN:

• Not only is Dorothy being sarcastic, she's being ironic as well.
• No sooner had he begun his trip than he became sick.

Note: As you already know, the word order is also reversed:

- in questions (Can I talk to you for a moment?)

- after the conjunction so (I work until five and so does my wife)

- in exclamations (Isn't it cold!)

The reserval of word may also occur after adverbial expressions of place

• (There stood the tallest woman I've ever seen.),
• and in a variety of other situations.

USEFUL HINTS

Take a look at the examples below:

1. I seldom go to the movies (go - principal verb in the affirmative form of the Simple Present)
2. Seldom do I go to the movies. (do - auxiliary verb used with the Simple Present)

Notice that in example 1, the principal verb (to go) is expressed in the affirmative form of the Present Tense (go) and, therefore, does not require as auxiliary.

However, in example 2, when seldom is used at the beginning of the sentence, the auxiliary verb (do) must be used after it.

The inversion of word order is, in this case, the same that occurs in questions, as in the following examples:

1. Does she go to the movies often?
2. Seldom does she go to the movies.

The same holds true when the principal verb is expressed in the affirmative form of the SIMPLE PAST TENSE, but this time the auxiliary verb DID is used as in the examples below:

1. She seldom visited her parents. (principal verb in the affirmative form of the Simple Past)
2. Seldom did she visit her parents. (auxiliary verb used with the Simple Past)

============================================================= Source: Video English - Advanced Course - Program 11 - Textbook - Pages 34-36)
Waldyr Lima Editora, Rio de Janeiro, 1985. =============================================================

Now: Do the exercise

Vance Stevens, vstevens@emirates.net.ae
Writing for Webheads, http://www.netword.com/webheads
May 31, 2000 in HotMetal Pro 6.0; exercises in Hot Potatoes 4.0