Joy English
Joy English

C2 Grammar

C2Inversion25 min

Inversion after negative adverbials, so and such

Put the auxiliary before the subject after negative and restrictive openings and after so and such.

When a sentence begins with a negative or restrictive adverbial, the auxiliary verb moves in front of the subject, as in a question. This gives a formal, dramatic or literary effect and is common in academic writing and speeches. If the verb has no auxiliary, add do, does or did. The same inversion follows so + adjective and such + be when they open a clause.

Opening phrasePatternExample
Never, rarely, seldom, little, nowhereadverb + auxiliary + subjectRarely did she ask for help.
Not only ... (but also)inversion in the first clause onlyNot only did it fail, but it also cost a fortune.
No sooner ... than; hardly / scarcely ... whenpast perfect invertedNo sooner had they left than it rained.
Not until; only after / when / if; only theninversion in the main clauseNot until midnight did the noise stop.
Under no circumstances, on no account, at no time, in no waymodal or auxiliary + subjectUnder no circumstances should you open it.
So + adjective; such + beso + adj + aux + subject + thatSo rapid was the change that nobody coped.

Pay attention to which clause is inverted. After not until or only when, the time clause stays in normal order and the main clause is inverted: *Not until the results arrived did the team understand the problem.* After no sooner, use than; after hardly and scarcely, use when (or before).

  • Never before had the city faced such a severe drought.
  • Little did he realise that the letter had been opened.
  • Only after the data had been checked did the team publish it.
  • On no account may visitors touch the exhibits.
  • Such was her influence that the whole department changed its approach.

Exercise 1 of 2

Choose the correct form

Choose the option that completes each sentence correctly.

  1. Not until the committee had read the full report _____ the scale of the problem.

  2. No sooner had the curtain risen _____ the lights failed.

  3. Under no circumstances _____ the laboratory door be left unlocked.

  4. Such _____ the noise from the building site that nobody could concentrate.

  5. Little _____ realise that the letter had already been opened.

  6. Only after the results had been checked twice _____ the findings.

  7. So rapidly _____ the glacier retreat that the map had to be redrawn.

  8. Hardly had she sat down _____ the telephone rang.

0 of 8 answered

Exercise 2 of 2

Complete the sentence

Type the missing word. Accept only forms that keep the inverted word order.

  1. Never before the city faced such a severe drought.

  2. Not only the proposal cost too much, but it was also badly designed.

  3. At no time the staff told that the office would close.

  4. On no account visitors touch the exhibits.

  5. Only when the ice had melted the explorers able to continue.

  6. So severe the storm that all flights were cancelled.

  7. Seldom she ask for help, even when she was overwhelmed.

  8. No sooner had the meeting ended the arguments began.

0 of 8 answered

Source

Original lesson by Joy English.

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