In English sentences, it is common to invert the verb and subject, meaning the natural order (subject + verb + ...) becomes (verb + subject). Inversion is most commonly used in question forms, but there are other circumstances where subject-verb inversion occurs:
Inversion in Questions:
In questions, the auxiliary verb is placed before the subject.
- Example: Is he going to the club?
- Example: Did he go to the club?
- Example: Where is the club?
- Example: Who is that guy standing there? (No inversion since it's a subject question)
Inversion in Other Expressions:
Inversion is also used in other types of sentences, including negative and affirmative sentences.
- Affirmative and Negative Agreement: Inversion is used after so, nor, and neither, but not with either and too.
- Example: Alex went to the club, and so did his brother.
- Example: Alex went to the club, and Jenny did too. (No inversion)
- Example: Robert hasn't arrived yet, neither has his companion.
- Example: Robert hasn't arrived yet; Robin hasn't either. (No inversion)
- Example: Russell is not a footballer, and nor is Alex.
- Negative Adverbial Expressions at the Beginning: Inversion is used when a negative adverbial expression begins the sentence.
- Example: In no way should we accept their offer.
- Example: Little did they know about me.
- Example: Never has he felt so embarrassed.
- Example: Seldom do they go on a tour.
- Example: Rarely do we see gypsies.
- Example: Hardly ever do they talk to each other.
- Beginning with "only" and "not only": Inversion is used with sentences beginning with "only" and "not only".
- Example: Only if they come would I go.
- Example: Only by researching can you solve this problem.
- Example: Only after lunch can you play.
- Example: Not only did they kill the adults, but they also killed the children.
- Adverbials at the Beginning: Inversion is used with adverbial expressions at the beginning of a sentence.
- Example: Hardly had I reached there when he left.
- Example: Seldom does the teacher finish his class early.
- Example: Rarely does Alex forget to do his homework.
- Adverbs of Place ("here" and "there") at the Beginning: Inversion is used when sentences begin with "here" or "there" as the adverb of place.
- Example: There is a lady standing in front of the club.
- Example: Here comes the king.
- Example: Here is your homemade cola.
- Example: There are so many people in that field.
- Some Prepositional Phrases at the Beginning: Inversion is used with certain prepositional phrases at the beginning of a sentence.
- Example: Into the room came she when I was sleeping.
- Example: Behind me cries a child.
- Example: Over the table hangs a painting.
- Conditionals without the Conjunction: Inversion is used in conditionals without the conjunction "if".
- Example: Had he been there, he could have seen it.
- Example: Were I the president, I could do good things.
- Example: Were he my brother, I would support him to reach his dreams.
- Example: Should you go there, I will go with you.