Inversion is when the normal order of words in a sentence is changed
Inversion is when the normal order of words in a sentence is changed, usually for emphasis, style, or to create a specific grammatical structure.
- Normally, the order in English is:
Subject + Verb + Complement
Example: She had never seen such a thing.
With inversion, we change this:
- Negative adverbials
These expressions force an inversion when placed at the beginning of the sentence:
Examples:
- Never had she seen such a beautiful sunset.
- Rarely do we get such an opportunity.
- Not only did he win, but he also broke the record.
- Expressions of place.
Inversion sometimes happens with verbs of movement:
- On the hill stood a lonely cabin.
- Into the room walked the professor.
- Conditional structures (conditions)
Instead of using if , you can use formal inversion:
- Had I known, I would have helped.
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