Inversão em Inglês

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A INVERSÃO. CASOS GERAIS. A INVERSÃO APÓS ADVÉRBIOS NEGATIVOS. A INVERSÃO APÓS SO THAT E SUCH THAT. A INVERSÃO DE FRASES CONDICIONAIS SEM IF.
1. (Never/I/meet) _________________such well-behaved children before. They are as good as gold. 
a) Never have I met
b) Never I met
c) Never I have met
d) Never met I
e) Never has I met
GABARITO: A
2. ___ the medicine than she began to feel better. 
a) Not until she swallowed
b) Hardly did she swallow
c) No sooner had she swallowed
d) Having swallowed
e) No sooner he swallowed
GABARITO: C
3. The boss didn’t know what to do, _____ the rest of us. 
a) so did
b) either
c) neither
d) nor did
e) so didn’t
GABARITO: D
4. ___ you see Frank at the conference, give him my regards. 
a) Should
b) Would
c) Might
d) Could
e) Have to
GABARITO: A
5. Only by working three jobs _____ able to support his large family. 
a) he was
b) he is
c) he's being
d) was he
e) being he
GABARITO: D
INITIAL CONSIDERATIONS
What do these sentences have in common?
· Not only is he difficult to understand, but he is also funny.
· Never have I understood less about women.
· Scarcely have they been on time.
These are all inverted sentences. Inverted sentences are sentences with an irregular verb placement of the verb before the subject. There are two main types of inversion: 
When the verb comes before the subject (optional inversion) 
· In the doorway stood her father. (or …her father stood.) 
When the auxiliary comes before the subject and the rest of the verb phrase follows the subject (inversion 
is usually necessary) 
· Rarely had he seen such a sunset. (not Rarely he had see…) 
Inversion brings about fronting, the re-ordering of information in a sentence to give emphasis in a particular place. Often this causes an element to be postponed until later in the sentence, focusing attention on it.
In formal English and in written language in particular, we use inversion to make it more emphatic or dramatic. 
I. TYPES OF INVERSION
The inversion is used in these circumstances:
II.1 INVERSION IN QUESTIONS
Questions are formed from statements by inverting the subject and auxiliary. In the present and past simple, the auxiliaries do/does and did come before the subject, which is followed by the bare infinitive. Be as a main verb can also come before the subject:
	Statement
	Question
	You can help me.
You have lived here for some time.
You would have done the same.
You are staying at this hotel.
She likes skating.
They arrived yesterday.
I am late.
	Can you help me?
How long have you lived here?
Would you have done the same?
Are you staying at this hotel?
Does she like skating?
When did they arrive?
Am I late?
Note that spoken questions do not always have this word order. (you will see more of this case next class)
· You're coming tomorrow? 
lndirect questions do not usually have this order. 
· I wondered what time the film was starting. 
However, in formal writing inversion is sometimes used with be in indirect questions after how, especially when the subject is long. 
· I wondered how reliable was the information I had been given. 
II.2 INVERSION IN EXCLAMATIONS
Exclamations often have the same structure as negative questions. 
· Isn't it cold? 	
· Hasn't she got lovely eyes? 
ln spoken American English, exclamations often have the same form as ordinary (non-negative) questions. 
· Have you got a surprise coming! 	
· Am I mad! 
ln a rather old-fashíoned literary style, inversion is sometimes found in exclamations after how and what. 
· How beautiful are the jlowers! 	
· What a peaceful place is Skegness! 
 II.3 INVERSION AFTER MAY
· May all your wishes come true!
· May he rot in hell! 
II.4 INVERSION WITH ADBERBS OF FREQUENCY
FREQUENCY (WITH NEVER, HARDLY EVER, RARELY,SELDOM, NO SOONER)
When a story is told in the past tense, the adverbials hardly, scarcely, barely and no sooner are often used to emphasise that one event quickly followed another. The verb describing the earlier event is usually in the past perfect tense. If hardly, scarcely, barely and no sooner are in the initial position, the subject and auxiliary are inverted:
· I had never seen so many people in one room. (= normal word order) 
· Never had I seen so many people in one room. (= inversion)
· Bob rarely speaks to himself. (= normal word order)
· Rarely does Bob speak to himself. (= inversion)
· Hardly had I arrived home when my phone rang. (I had hardly arrived home when my phone rang.)
· Scarcely had she finished reading when she fell asleep. (She had scarcely finished reading when she fell asleep.)
· Barely had they won the match when the coach had a heart attack. (They had barely won the match when the coach had a heart attack.)
· No sooner had the company launched its new product than it went bankrupt. (The company had no sooner launched its new product than it went bankrupt.)
They are used to describe an event that happened immediately after another. They are used when a there are a succession of events in the past. 
Other examples:
· Never (before) have we faced such a challenge! (We have never faced such a challenge!)
· Rarely has there been so much speculation about the future of the company. (There has rarely been so much speculation about the future of the company.)
· Never have I been so taken aback. 
· Rarely do they fail to get away for a holiday. 
· Seldom is that pop group out of the news. (seldom = rarely)
· Hardly ever did he wear a suit. 
· Never have I been more insulted!
· Seldom has he seen anything stranger. 
· Never have I encountered such rudeness! (extract from a letter of complaint about the service in a restaurant)
· Seldom does Bob get invited to parties. 
· Never have we seen such a breathtaking view.
NOTE: The sentence with the inversion sounds more formal or more literary, and sentences like this are less common in ordinary conversation.
· Scarcely had I got out of bed when the doorbell rang.
· Scarcely had he stepped outside when it started to rain.
· No sooner had he finished dinner, when she walked in the door. 
· Hardly had he stepped outside when it started to rain.
IMPORTANT: Note that the past perfect tense is used to describe the event that happened first.
2. HOW INFREQUENTLY THINGS HAPPEN (WITH LITTLE)
· Little did she realise what was about to happen. (= She didn’t realize or didn’t realize sufficiently) 
· Little did she understand what the conversation was about. (She didn't really understand what the conversation was about.)
· Little did she realize that her grandmother was really a wolf. ( This means that the girl didn't realize at all that her grandmother was really a wolf.)
· Little did he understand the situation.
· Little have I read concerning nanotechnology. 
· Little did he know what his decision would lead to.
II.4 INVERSION AFTER NEGATIVE EXPRESSIONS
If a negative adverb or adverbial expression is put at the beginning of a clause for emphasis, it is usually followed by auxiliary verb + subject. These structures are mostly rather formal. These expressions include: 
IN NO WAY
· In no way am I related to the suspect. (I am in no way related to the suspect. )
· In no way should this be regarded as an end of the matter. 
AT NO TIME
· At no time was the President aware of what was happening. 
· At no time did the prisoner look as if he might confess.
· At no time would he admit that his team played badly. 
NO SOONER…THAN
· No sooner had he locked the door than the phone started ringing.
ON NO CONDITION
· On no condition will the company bear responsibility for lost property. (The company will not bear responsibility for lost property on any condition.)
· On no occasion was the girl allowed to say out late. 
ON NO ACCOUNT
· On no account are you to repeat this to anyone. 
UNDER/ IN NO CIRCUMSTANCES
· Under no circumstances are you allowed to disturb the pilots. (You are not allowed to disturb the pilots under any circumstances.)
· Under no circumstances can you inform the staff about the imminent changes.
· Under no circumstances can wecash cheques. 
· Under no circumstances can we accept the offer.
· Under no circumstances* will prisoners be allowed to give interviews to the media. 
* This is used to describe rules for which there are no exceptions. The alternative without the inversion is: 
Prisoners will not be allowed to give interviews to the media under any circumstances.
II.5 INVERSION AFTER EXPRESSIONS STARTING WITH not: not a noun, not only.... but also, not until...(that)
· Not only is Amanda Swift a gifted musician, but she is also good-natured and responsible. (extract from a covering letter)
· Not a sound could be heard in the church.
· Not only is she a great dancer but she is also an amazing mathematician.
· Not until she took up rock climbing did she overcome her fear of heights.
· Not only did he exceed the speed limit, but he had also consumed alcohol. (He not only exceeded the speed limit, but he had also consumed alcohol.)
· Not only were you late, but you didn't even have a good excuse. (You were not only late, but you didn't have a good excuse either.)
· Not since I was little have I had so much fun. 
· Not for one minute do I imagine they’ll come back. 
II.6 INVERSION AFTER 'only' expressions such as 'only after', 'only when', 'only then', etc. 
· Only after finishing your homework can you play. (You can only play after you finish your homework.)
· Only after you have finished your homework can you play. (You can only play after you have finished your homework.)
· Only by guessing can you solve this puzzle. (You can only solve this puzzle by guessing.)
· Only if everybody agreed would I accept this position. (I would only accept this position if everybody agreed.) 
· Only in this way does this machine work. (This machine only works in this way.)
· Only then did they discover his secret. (They only discovered his secret then.)
· Only when he needed some help did he call me. (He only called me when he needed some help.)
· Only when I filled my glass did I notice that it was broken. (I only noticed that my glass was broken when I filled it.)
· Only in grammar can you be more than perfect.- William Safire 
NOTE: If only is followed by the subject at the beginning of the sentence, there is no inversion:
· Only Fiona knew the answer to the question.
· Only you can understand. (No one else can understand.)
II.7 INVERSION AFTER 'so' and'such'.
lnversion sometimes happens after as, than and such and emphasising so and such in a literary style. 
· So quickly did he run that the others couldn't catch up with him. (He ran so quickly that the others couldn't catch up with him.)
· So strong was the wind that we couldn't open the window. (The wind was so strong that we couldn't open the window.)
· So excited were they that they couldn't sit still.
· So ridiculous did she look that everybody burst out laughing. 
· Such is the moment that all greats traverse.
· Such was the wind that we couldn't open the window. (The wind was such that we couldn't open the window.)
· Such was our annoyance (that) we refused to cooperate further. 
· Such was their excitement that they began to jump up and down.
IMPORTANT: Note that "so" is followed by an adjective and "such" can be replaced by "so great" (So great was their excitement that...).
II.8 INVERSION AFTER “as” and “than” in comparisons 
In formal written language we commonly use inversion after as and than in comparisons: 
· The cake was excellent, as was the coffee. (or …as the coffee was.) 
· I believed, as did my colleagues, that the plan would work. (or …as my colleagues did…) 
· Research shows that parents watch more television than do their children. (or …than their children do.) 
· Elisabeth was too shy to dance, as was Gerald.
· She was very religious, as were most ofher friends. 
· City dwellers have a higher death rate than do country people. 
NOTE: We don’t invert subject and verb after as or than when the subject is a pronoun: 
· We now know a lot more about the Universe than we did ten years ago. (not …than did we ten years ago.) 
II.9 INVERTED IN CONDITIONAL FORMS 
Sometimes conditional forms are inverted as a means of sounding more formal. In this case, the conditional 'if' is dropped and the inverted forms takes the place of the 'if clause'. 
• CONDITIONAL TYPE 1 
In formal contexts we can omit if or other conditional words and start the sentence with should: 
· Should you change your mind, please let me know. 
• CONDITIONAL TYPE 2 
We use be to in a fairly formal way to express conditions. It suggests that the speaker has no influence over whether the condition will be fulfilled or not. Are to, am to and is to suggest the condition may be fulfilled. Were to (or, informally, was to) emphasises that the condition is very unlikely. Using the conditional if-clause is one way to express such conditions; however, we can omit if or other conditional words and start the sentence with were (but this is not possible with are): 
· Were we to take on more staff, how could we afford to pay them? 
· Were the vote to go against me, I’d resign. 
· Were he to agree, he’d probably become the next coach. 
· Were you a brighter fellow, you’d have gone along with the scheme. 
• CONDITIONAL TYPE 3 
We use an Unreal Past Perfect in the if-clause when we are thinking about how things might have been 
different. In the conditional sentence we can omit if or other conditional words and start with Had: 
· Had I believed her for one moment, I wouldn’t have refused to help. 
· Had you told me earlier, I would/could/might have done something about it. 
We can also use conditional structures beginning with Were + perfect infinitive in formal English: 
· Were you to have stopped and considered, you’d have seen the error of your ways.
II.10 INVERSIONS WITH "SO", "NEITHER" AND "NOR"
When "so", "neither" and "nor" are used to make short agreements they are followed by an inversion.
· "I am not into hip hop.""Neither am I." (Or: "Nor am I.")
· "I am fond of flamenco dancing.""So am I."
We use inversion after neither or nor when these words begin a clause to introduce a negative addition to a previous negative clause or sentence: 
· For some time after the explosion Jack couldn’t hear, and neither could he see. 
· The council never wanted the new supermarket to be built, not did local residents.
Or they can be used in the following way (also including an inversion).
· Jennifer buys only organic fruit and vegetables, and so does Hugh.
They don't mind the higher prices, and neither do we. (Or: ...nor do we.)
· I suggested that he should take the job, and so did all his friends. (his friends also suggested that he should take the job)
Everybody knows that, and so should you. (you should know that, too)
"I love South Korean films." "Really? So do I." (I also love South Korean films)
"I am not going to Andy's party tonight." "Neither/nor is Susan." (Susan isn't going either)
"My family have never been on a holiday abroad." "Neither/nor have mine." (my family haven't been either)
If we want to express disagreement, there is no inversion:
· "I love South Korean films." "I don't."
· I am not going to Andy's party tonight." "Susan is." 
II. 11 INVERSIONS AFTER ADJECTIVES
A few very literary sentences begin with an adjective and include an inversion.
· Blessed are the children who are still unaware of what the future holds.
Gone* are the days when I could have been happy.
* Here the past participle is used like an adjective.
II.12 INVERSION AFTER ADVERBIAL EXPRESSIONS OF PLACE 
When an adverbial expression of place or direction comes at the beginning of a clause, intransitive verbs are often put before their subjects. This happens especially when a new indefinite subject is being introduced. The structure is most common in literary and descriptive writing. 
· Under a tree was lying one ofthe biggest men I had ever seen. 
· On the grass sat an enormous frog. 
· Directly in front of them stood a great castle. 
· Along the road came a strange procession. 
II.13 INVERSION IN SPOKEN ENGLISHIn conversation we use Here comes + noun and There goes + noun, with inversion of verb and subject, to talk about things and people moving towards or away from the speaker: 
· Here comes the bus. 
· Here comes Freddy! 
· There goes Nigel Salter, the footballer. 
· There goes your brother. 
Here comes… is also used to say that something is going to happen soon, and There goes… is used when to talk about things (particularly money) being lost and to say that something (such as a phone or door bell) is ringing: 
· Here comes lunch. 
· My bike’s been stolen! There goes £100! 
· There goes the phone. Can you answer it?	
If the subject is a pronoun, it goes before the verb: 
· Here she comes. 
· Off we go! 
II.14 INVERSION WITH COME 
We can put first, next, now and then in front position with the verb come to introduce a new event, when the subject follows the verb. But if a comma (or an intonation break in speech) is used after first (etc.) the 
verb follows the subject. 
· At first there was silence. Then came a voice that I knew. (not Then a voice came …) 
· At first there was silence. Then, a voice come that I knew.
I. 15 INVERSION WITH PREPOSITIONS 
We can put the verb before the subject when we use adverbs expressing direction of movement, such as along, away, back, down, in, off, out, up with verbs such as come, fly, go. This pattern is found 
particularly in narrative, to mark a change in events: 
· The door opened and in came the doctor. (less formally …and the doctor came in) 
· As soon as I let go of the string, up went the balloon, high into the sky. (less formally …the balloon went up) 
· Just when I thought I’d have to walk home, along came Miguel and he gave me a lift. (less formally …Miguel came along and gave me …) 
II.16 INVERSION IN REPORTING 
ln story-telling, the subject often comes after reporting verbs like said, asked, suggested etc., when these follow direct speech. 
· 'What do you mean?' asked Henry. 
· ‘I hate you;' whispered Jan. 
NOTE: If the subject is a pronoun, it usually comes before the noun. 'What do you meant' he asked. 
II. 17 SUBJECT-AUXILIARY INVERSION IN QUESTION TAGS
Question tags are placed after declarative sentences and are usually used in spoken language to keep up the flow of conversation. Affirmative sentences are usually followed by negative tags and expect the answer yes:
· "You are hungry, aren't you?" "Yes, I am."
Negative sentences are usually followed by affirmative tags and expect the answer no:
· "You cannot stay longer, can you?" "No, I really can't."
We use rising intonation in the tag to ask for information. But if we don't really expect an answer because the statement is obviously true, we use falling intonation:
· You are hungry, aren't you? (with rising intonation = Are you hungry?)
· You are hungry, aren't you? (with falling intonation = I know you are hungry.)
Sometimes we use affirmative tags after affirmative sentences to express interest or concern or to ask for confirmation:
· So you've inherited a mansion, have you? (interest)
· I must get there by ten, must I? (asking for confirmation)
A negative statement with an affirmative tag can also express disapproval:
· You don't really think I'll let you get away with it, do you? (I hope you don't think I'll let you get away with it.)
In negative tags, not can come after the pronoun in formal styles or for emphasis:
· I am right, am I not?
· That's my pen, is it not?
· They placed an order, did they not?
Imperatives
· Open the door, will you?
· Don't speak like that, will you?
Suggestions
· Let's dance, shall we?
THIS, THAT, THESE, THOSE
· This is great, isn't it?
· That's a nice dress, isn't it?
· These pancakes are delicious, aren't they?
· Those are quite fresh, aren't they?
EVERYBODY, SOMEBODY, NOBODY, ANYBODY
· Everybody likes her, don't they?
· Nobody knew the answer, did they? (negative statement with affirmative tag)
· Anybody could do that, couldn't they?
· Somebody should do something about this, shouldn't they?
EVERYTHING, SOMETHING, NOTHING, ANYTHING
· Nothing could disturb her, could it?
AREN'T I?
· I'm late, aren't I?
THERE IS/THERE ARE
· There is something you want to say, isn't there?
· There weren't any policemen at the demonstration, were there?
II. 18 SUBJECT-AUXILIARY INVERSION IN ECHO TAGS
Echo tags are said in reaction to an affirmative or negative statement. They are formed in the same way as question tags (with the inversion of the subject and auxiliary), but an affirmative statement is followed by an affirmative tag and a negative statement is followed by a negative tag:
· "I'm so hungry!" "Oh, are you?"
· I'm sorry, I can't stay any longer." "Can't you?"
· They always have lunch at 12." "Do they really?"
· My sister has just passed her driving test." "Has she?"
NOTE: Rising intonation in the tag can express interest, while falling intonation can show indifference.
II. USEFUL STRUCTURAL CONVERSIONS 
All the food had been prepared and the table had been laid as well. 
Not only bad all the food been prepared but also the table had been laid. 
As soon as he was promoted, he started behaving arrogantly. 
No sooner had he been promoted than he started behaving arrogantly. 
Hardly/Scarcely had he been promoted when he started behaving arrogantly. 
He had no idea that the treasure had been hidden in his garden. 
Little did he know that the treasure had been hidden in his garden. 
She danced so much that she couldn’t walk afterwards 
So much did she dance that she couldn't walk afterwards. 
It was such a nice day that we went on an excursion. 
Such a nice day was it that we went on an excursion. 
They finished painting and then they moved into their new house. 
Only after they had finished painting did they move into their new house. 
If I were you, I would accept his offer. 
Were I you, I would accept his offer. 
If I had been told earlier, I would have reacted differently. 
Had I been told earlier, I would have reacted differently. 
If I (should) change my mind, I'll let you know. 
Should I change my mind, I'll let you know. 
She didn't phone me; she didn't drop me a line either. 
She didn't phone me nor did she drop me a line. 
She neither phoned me, nor did she drop me a line. 
She won't tell lies for any reason. 
On no account will she tell lies. 
The boy ran away. 
Away ran the boy!
LET’S PRACTICE: 
1. The following are the sort of multiple choice grammar questions that typically appear in the Michigan ECPE. They may (or may not) include inversions. 
1) Thank goodness ___ hurt in the train accident. 
a) didn’t more people get
b) didn’t get more people
c) more didn’t get people
d) more people didn’t get
2) The study showed _____ for maternal and child health. 
a) how is nutrition important
b) how important nutrition is
c) that how important nutrition is
d) that how nutrition is important
3) Strange ___ , he chose not to undergo surgery. 
a) may it seem
b) as may it seem
c) was it that
d) as it may sound
4) Try ___ he could not save the drowning woman. 
a) did he hard
b) as he might
c) as hard as
d) though he did
5) So ___ that she licked the plate clean. 
a) being hungry
b) great her hunger
c) hungry was she
d) had she hunger
6) Effie disliked the film, ___. 
a) as did Frank
b) and also disliked it Frank
c) nor Frank
d) so Frank did
7) Only by speaking more ___ improve your fluency in English. 
a) you are able to
b) is it possible to
c) does
d) will it
8) It was not until Andrew stopped smoking ____ healthy again. 
a) did he feel
b) that he started to feel
c) then he felt
d) that he did feel
KEY: 1. D – 2. B – 3. D – 4. B – 5. C – 6. A – 7. B – 8. B.
2. Fill in he blanks with the correct order of the words in parentheses.
a) (No sooner/my father/sit down) _________________to dinner than there was a knock on the door. 
b) (Little/he/know) _________________that his culinary skills are quite substandard. 
c) (At no time/ I/ mean) _________________to hurt your feelings. It was all a big misunderstanding. 
d) (Seldom/we/ have)______________friends over for a drink. We prefer to meet them at pubs or restaurants. 
e) (Not only/he/make) _________________ a mean cheesecake, but he also prepares homemade jam. 
f) Only when the situation gets out of hand _________________(the government/ begin) to act 
g) Not until June _________________ (you/can /get) all the swimming gear out of the drawers. 
h) (Only once/ I/climb) _________________ such a high mountain before. 
i) Her eyes were very red. (only later/I/find out) ______________ that her fiancé had broken up with her. 
KEY: a) 2. No sooner had my father sat down – b) Little does he know - c) At no time did I mean – d) Seldom do we have – e) Not only does he make – f) will the government begin – g) can you get – h) Only once have I climbed - i) Only later did I find out 
DO THIS TEST
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