Subject-Verb Inversion (English Presentation)

subject-verb inversion

Presentation

David Semac, Lara Batista, Guilherme Rodrigues

Start

index

3- Do it yourself

2- When and how / Examples

1- Definition

Definition

What is it...

Inversion consists in changing the order of the auxiliary verb and the subject, therefore it happens when the normal word order of the subject-verb is reversed, so that the sentence looks like a question, structurally.The subject tells us who or what performs the action, the verb is used to express what the action is, and the object tells us who or what is receiving the action. For example:- Normal sentence: I have never been so happy!- Inverted sentence: Never have I been so happy! Subject-verb inversion is most commonly used in order to give more emphasis, dramatic purpose or formality to what is being said or written.

Why is it used...

2.1

When and how

Inversions in Informal English:

Inversions are most commonly applied in formulating questions. Another common case is when it is applied to a sentence that begins with a particular word, phrase or expression which is often, though not always, negative in its meaning, these phrases or words being “so”, “such”, “neither” or “nor”, negative adverbs of frequency, such as “don't” and ”doesn't” as well as phrases starting with “not” or containing “no”.

Inversions in Formal English:

Other cases of inversion can also be found, mainly, in formal English, where certain expressions are put in the beginning of a sentece to add emphasis and are then followed by an inversion. These expressions being:

• Negative adverbial expressions and frequency adverbs:

- "In no way could Patrick have passed that exam without studying." - "Rarely do they get in trouble"

2.2

When and how

Inversions in Formal English:

• Adverbial expressions beginning with "only" and "not only":

- "Not only was it a long plane flight, but it was also quite turbulent." - "Only when the plane landed did Maggie get reliefed."

• Expressions such as "hardly", "scarcely" and "no sooner", when one action happens after another one, immediately:

- "Hardly had he arrived home, when his phone rang." - "Scarcely could he contain his joy, when he saw his new toy" - "No sooner had she finished her shower than the lights went out"

• Prepositions and adverbial expressions of place, such as "here" and "there":

- "Here comes the bus." - "There goes my son-in-law." - "On the doorstep was my mail." - "Down the hills was a coffee shop."

do it yourself

Examples:

• I didn't catch the bus. My sister neither.

- I didn't catch the bus. Neither...

• She didn't join us for lunch. Megan neither.

- She didn't join us for lunch. Nor...

• I had hardly uttered a word when the teacher interrupted me.

- Hardly...

• As soon as the bus stopped, he jumped into it.

- No sooner...

• The demands of her job are such that she is rarely able to take some time to herself.

- Such...

Thank you