Inversion means placing an auxiliary verb before the subject: like in a question, after certain negative or restrictive adverbials. It adds emphasis and formality: Never have I seen… / Not only did he lie… / Rarely does she…
Exercises:
Exercise 1 (Easy): Identify the inverted structure
Choose the correct inverted sentence. Remember: negative adverbial at the start → auxiliary + subject (question word order).
Exercises:
1
I have never seen a crowd this angry. → (inversion)
2
She rarely answers emails after six. → (inversion)
3
We had no sooner sat down than the fire alarm went off. → (inversion)
4
He not only missed the deadline but also blamed his team. → (inversion)
5
The economy had barely recovered when the second wave hit. → (inversion)
6
I will only sign if you put that in writing. → (inversion)
7
She did not realise how much the flat would cost. → (inversion)
8
You should never underestimate your opponent. → (inversion)
9
I understood what had happened only after the meeting. → (inversion)
10
They had scarcely unpacked when the landlord called. → (inversion)
Inversion (B2)
Never / Rarely / Seldom→ Never have I…
Never have I seen such chaos. / Seldom does she complain.
No sooner … than→ No sooner had + S + pp + than…
No sooner had she left than it started raining.
Hardly / Barely / Scarcely … when→ Hardly had + S + pp + when…
Hardly had they arrived when the power cut out.
Not only … but also→ Not only did + S + inf…
Not only did he lose, but he also embarrassed himself.
Under no circumstances→ Under no circumstances should + S…
Under no circumstances should you open that door.
Only if / Only when / Only after→ Only if + clause + will/did + S…
Only if you sign will I proceed.
Little / Hardly→ Little did + S + know/realise…
Little did she know what lay ahead.
So + adj / Such + noun→ So great was the demand that…
Such was the chaos that the event was called off.
Rule: Inversion = auxiliary verb BEFORE subject (question word order). If there is no auxiliary in the positive sentence, use do/does/did: Rarely does she smile.