Sometimes we can see in certain sentences that the auxiliary or modal verbs like, did,  were, should, could, etc or the main verb is at the beginning of the sentence. In such sentences, the subject and the verb switch their places, and the subject is written after the verb.

This is very common when it comes to the formulation of questions.

Example:

What do you want to eat?

 

However, it isn’t just limited to question forms but you might have also heard sentences like;

Such was the pain in grandpa’s knees that he couldn’t walk properly.

 

In English grammar, inversions happen when a sentence does not follow the usual structure and the word order is reversed. It is used for emphasis, dramatic purpose, or formality.  

 

The inversion usually happens when a sentence begins with negative or limiting adverbs like, never, neither, so, hardly, etc.

Example: 

This has rarely happened before.-----------Becomes---------- Rarely has this happened before.

 

Using Inversion in Informal English

 

- In the formation of questions

This is the most common use of inversions. 

Example:

‘Rekha is looking for a roommate.’--------Becomes-------- ‘Is Rekha looking for a roommate?’

 

- With so, neither, nor.

Another case in which Inversions are used is when a sentence begins with expressions like ‘neither, nor, so’ in order to show that the same is true for something or someone as it is for the other. So is used in positive sentences and neither and nor are used in negative sentences.

Example:

‘Rekha is looking for a roommate. Maya is looking for a roommate too.’--------Becomes-------- Rekha is looking for a roommate. So is Maya.

‘Rekha is not looking for a roommate. Maya is neither.’--------Becomes-------- Rekha isn’t looking for a roommate. Neither/nor is Maya.

 

Using Inversion in Formal English

 

- WIth negative adverbial expressions

Inversions are used when a sentence begins with negative adverbial expressions and frequency adverbs like, hardly, never, seldom, little, in no way, in no time, etc.

Example:

Under no circumstances should we go forward with it.

Not until I have spoken to everyone will I be able to rest.

Never have I felt so anxious about something.

 

- Adverbial expressions beginning with ‘only’ and ‘not only’

Inversions are used in sentences beginning with ‘only’, which usually refers to a particular time or condition, and ‘not only’, which emphasizes that two situations are similar or possible.

Example:

Only if they agree to our terms will we be able to merge our projects.

Not only did they agree to merge projects but they also agreed to our terms.

 

- When one action follows another action immediately

Inversions are also used with the expressions that begin with ‘no sooner’, ‘hardly’, scarcely, etc when it is suggested that one action is followed by another action immediately.

Example:

Hardly had I started reading when the doorbell rang.

No sooner had the meeting begun than his phone started ringing.

 

NOTE: the first sentence or situation is described in the past perfect tense and the other one is described using Simple past tense. It shows that one action followed another action immediately in the past.

 

- In conditional sentences to replace ‘if’

In conditional sentences, inversions are used to replace the ‘if-clause’ in the sentence. 

Example:

If Seema asks, I might allow her to join us.

Should Seema ask, I might allow her to join us.

 

If we were to renegotiate this deal, we would be more profitable than before.

Were we to renegotiate this deal, we would be more profitable than before.

 

If they had left earlier, they would have arrived on time.

Had they left earlier, they would have arrived on time.

 

- With  prepositions and adverbs of place

Inversions are used with prepositional and adverbial expressions of place including ‘here’ and ‘there’. When the sentence begins with an adverb or preposition of place, we use the main verb after them not the auxiliary verb.

The inversion only happens when the subject is a noun, inversions do not happen with ‘pronouns’.

Example:

Into the room came the dog.

There goes your cat.

 

Inversions are very common in English classical literature. It adds a new dimension to the prose and makes it more fascinating for the reader. They are also used in spoken English during formal conversations. You can get better at it using them while speaking as often as you can. Solve some practice sheets to get a better understanding of this topic.