CJS EFL - Inversion

Inversion is a way of stressing a particular point.
It is not an essential language skill, but an
elegant and educated one that will definitely
impress if used correctly at the right moment.

e.g."No longer will we have to listen to his boring speeches now that he has been ousted as C.E.O.!"

This is something you get a feel for after
doing a lot of examples - so JUST DO IT!

ADVANCED

Inversion

He studied very hard, but still failed the exam.
Hard ??????????

Inversion

Hard though he studied, he still failed the exam.

Inversion

I have never witnessed such an act of pure rage.
Never ??????????

Inversion

Never have I witnessed such an act of pure rage.

Inversion

It was only then that I understood what had happened.
??????????

Inversion

Only then did I understand what had happened.

Inversion

I haven't had such a good time since I was a young lad.
Not ??????????

Inversion

Not since I was a young lad have I had such a good time.

Inversion

He received a better job offer the moment he resigned.
No ??????????

Inversion

No sooner had he resigned than received a better job offer.

Inversion

He not only paid the bill, but he also left a substantial tip.
Not ??????????

Inversion

Not only did he pay the bill, but he also left a substantial tip.

Inversion

One seldom sees such remarkable professionalism in this business.
??????????

Inversion

Seldom does one see such remarkable professionalism in this business.

Inversion

I started my speech, but someone interrupted me almost immediately.
No ??????????

Inversion

No sooner had I started my speech than someone interrupted me.

Inversion

I didn't realize till later what the real problem was.
??????????

Inversion

Only later did I realize what the real problem was.
OR: Not until later did I realize what the real problem was.

Inversion

The salesman never told us that the price might increase.
At ??????????

Inversion

At no time did the salesman tell us that the price might increase.

Inversion

I am not responsible for this damage in any way.
In ??????????

Inversion

In no way am I responsible for this damage.

Inversion

A riot broke out in the stands moments after the match had started.
??????????

Inversion

Hardly had the match started than a riot broke out in the stands.
OR: No sooner had the match started than a riot broke out in the stands.

Inversion

We had never seen such courage before.
??????????

Inversion

Never before had we seen such courage.
OR: Never had we seen such courage before.

Inversion

I regretted signing the contract the moment I had signed.
??????????

Inversion

No sooner (or Hardly) had I signed the contract than I regretted it.
'No sooner' is more elegant!

Inversion

The bank robbers had no idea that there was a police informant in their midst.
??????????

Inversion

Little did the bank robbers know that there was a police informant in their midst.

Inversion

If I had known about the problem I would have told you!
??????????

Inversion

Had I known about the problem I would have told you!

Inversion

I didn't realize that he was French until he started to speak.
Not ??????????

Inversion

Not until he started to speak did I realize that he was French.
OR: Only when he started to speak did I realize that he was French.

Inversion

I have rarely been as angry as I was at that moment.
??????????

Inversion

Rarely have I been as angry as I was at that moment.

Inversion

He is not only rude but stupid, too!
??????????

Inversion

Not only is he rude; he's also stupid.
OR: Not only is he rude, but he's also stupid.

Inversion

I can't go any further on this contract.
??????????

Inversion

Further on this contract I cannot go.
??????????

Inversion

I can't say any more than this at the moment.
?????????? (a tricky one!")

Inversion

More than this I can't say at the moment.

Inversion

It was only after I visited Japan that I realized what an amazing country it is.
Not ??????????

Inversion

Not until I visited Japan did I realize what an amazing country it is.

Inversion

He has no idea what is going to hit him.
Little ??????????

Inversion

Little does he know what is going to hit him.

Inversion

It was only later that the truth became clear.
Not ??????????

Inversion

Not until later did the truth became clear.

Inversion

That was the last time he would ever set foot on English soil.
Never ??????????

Inversion

Never again would he set foot on English soil.

Inversion

He tried hard, but still failed.
??????????

Inversion

Hard though he tried, he still failed.

Inversion

He not only arrived late; he also brought the wrong tools.
??????????

Inversion

Not only did he arrive late; he also brought the wrong tools.

Inversion

It was not until his teeth started giving him trouble that he started looking after them properly.
??????????

Inversion

Not until his teeth started giving him trouble did he start looking after them properly.

Inversion

If I had known the truth at that time I would certainly have told you.
??????????

Inversion

Had I known the truth at that time I would certainly have told you.

Inversion

If he turned up now my answer would be different.
??????????

Inversion

Were he to turn up now my answer would be different.
??????????