Inversion and Emphasis
Use marked structures to create formal emphasis.
Lesson focus
Use marked structures to create formal emphasis.
Core idea
After negative or limiting adverbials such as rarely, never and not only, formal English may invert auxiliary and subject.
Examples
Rarely have I seen such a clear result.
Not only did she finish early, but she also improved the design.
Only then did we understand the risk.
Useful vocabulary
WordMeaning
inversionchanging normal subject-verb order for emphasis
auxiliarya helping verb
emphasisspecial importance given to an idea
Active practice
Do this now: Rewrite five normal sentences using inversion after rarely, never, only then or not until.
Fast review
- Explain the rule in your own words.
- Say at least three examples without reading.
- Complete the quiz below. A passing score unlocks lesson completion.
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