Inversion in english grammar

Inversion refers to changing the order of a sentence, usually, we notice that a sentence structure starts from a Subject followed by a verb and then the rest.

However, at times we notice verbs at the beginning and then subject and so on. Inversion is most common among the question form of sentences. Let’s go through some examples and rules on inversion.

Using Inversion in Questions:

Interrogative sentences always invert the sentences, here the auxiliary verbs are present before the subject.

For example:

• Do you know Emily very well?
• Did you ask her to mail the documents?
• Do you want to come with us to the cinema?
• Is there something Ronaldo cannot do?

Using Inversion in other expressions:

Inversions are used in affirmations and negations with words like nor, neither, so. But no with either or too.

For Example:

• Chelsea is a great team, so is their manager.
• I reached the office before the meeting, and so did the CEO.
• My nephew doesn’t like Spiderman, nor does he like batman.
• The dinner is not ready yet and I am hungry, so are the guests.

Use of adverbs in negation at the beginning of a sentence.

For Example:

• Barely, does it ever rain in Saudi Arab.
• Never have I ever felt like trying social media trends.
• In no way, we would allow students to cheat.
• Hardly do we get a chance to go outside for lunch.
• Not once did he asked for help.
• Seldom do they have to worry about their employees.

Sentences beginning with only and not only.

For Example:

• Only if you had agreed for the job, they would have offered more money.
• Not only that you left early, but you left your work incomplete.
• Only after finishing the homework, the children were allowed to use their tablets.
• Only in case of an emergency you could use that exit.

Adverbials at the start of a sentence.

For Example:

• Often, they had to shut off the server for maintenance.
• Hardly before I moved to take a picture, the bird flew away.
• Fortunately, I brought some cash along with me to the supermarket.

Adverbs of place at the beginning, for this sentence the main verbs should come before the subject.

For Example:

• There is no doubt about you tried your level best.
• Here is the moment we all have been waiting for, the start of a new year.
• There are not many people who could write better than Shakespeare.
• Here at our cafe, we have the best coffee.

Sentences beginning with prepositional phrases.

For Example:

• Under the tree is my car parked.
• Over the table, there is a phone.
• At school, they were playing basketball.

Conditionals with no conjunctions.

For Example:

• Had he played a bit wisely, we could be champions
• If he called me, I would go to meet him.
• Were there more cameras, he would be caught.