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Inversion for Emphasis

Advanced grammar C1–C2
GrammarC1–C2

1The rule

After a negative or limiting adverbial, put the auxiliary before the subject

Used in formal and written English for emphasis. If there is no auxiliary, add do / does / did.

  • Never have I seen such a beautiful view.
  • Rarely does she complain about work.
  • Hardly had we arrived when it began to rain.
  • No sooner had he left than the phone rang.
  • Under no circumstances should you open this door.
Not only … but also; only + adverbial

The inversion goes in the first clause only.

  • Not only did she win, but she also set a new record.
  • Only when I got home did I realise I had lost my keys.
  • Only after the meeting did he explain the decision.
So / such … that and Little did …

Fronting “so + adjective” or “such + noun” adds drama.

  • So impressive was her speech that everyone stood up.
  • Such was the noise that nobody could sleep.
  • Little did they know that the shop had closed.

2Choose the correct answer

  1. Never ______ such a magnificent performance.
    A I have seenB have I seenC I sawD did I seen
  2. Hardly ______ the building when the alarm went off.
    A we had enteredB had we enteredC we enteredD did we enter
  3. Not only ______ the exam, but she also won a scholarship.
    A she passedB passed sheC did she passD she did pass
  4. Only when the results arrived ______ how much she had improved.
    A she realisedB did she realiseC realised sheD she did realise
  5. So ______ was the storm that flights were cancelled.
    A severeB severelyC severityD more severe
  6. Under no circumstances ______ the equipment without permission.
    A you must useB must you useC you useD do you must use
  7. No sooner ______ the speech than the audience began to applaud.
    A he finishedB had he finishedC he had finishedD did he finish
  8. Seldom ______ people who work harder than she does.
    A I meetB have I metC I have metD met I have

3Rewrite the sentence Keep the meaning the same. Use the word given.

  1. I have never eaten such delicious food.
    Use: Never
  2. She had only just sat down when the phone rang.
    Use: Hardly
  3. He did not only forget the date, he also lost the tickets.
    Use: Not only
  4. You should not touch the wires in any circumstances.
    Use: Under
  5. They realised the danger only when it was too late.
    Use: Only
  6. The film was so boring that I left early.
    Use: So
  7. I rarely get the chance to travel.
    Use: Rarely
  8. As soon as he left, the rain started.
    Use: No

4Find and correct the mistake

  1. Never I have felt so embarrassed.
  2. Not only she sang, but she also danced.
  3. Hardly he had arrived when the meeting began.
  4. Only after the rain stopped we could leave.
  5. No sooner had I sat down when the lights went out.
  6. Rarely she goes out on weekdays.

5Use it

Global Tutor Board · globaltutorboard.com · Teacher Pass materialAdvanced grammar C1–C2 · Inversion for Emphasis

Teacher’s page — key and notes — Inversion for Emphasis

Key — choose the correct answer

  1. B have I seen
  2. B had we entered
  3. C did she pass
  4. B did she realise
  5. A severe
  6. B must you use
  7. B had he finished
  8. B have I met

Key — rewrite the sentence

  1. Never have I eaten such delicious food.
  2. Hardly had she sat down when the phone rang.
  3. Not only did he forget the date, but he also lost the tickets.
  4. Under no circumstances should you touch the wires.
  5. Only when it was too late did they realise the danger.
  6. So boring was the film that I left early.
  7. Rarely do I get the chance to travel.
  8. No sooner had he left than the rain started.

Key — corrections

  1. Never have I felt so embarrassed.
  2. Not only did she sing, but she also danced.
  3. Hardly had he arrived when the meeting began.
  4. Only after the rain stopped could we leave.
  5. No sooner had I sat down than the lights went out.
  6. Rarely does she go out on weekdays.

Teaching points

Suggested 45-minute online lesson

  1. Notice (8 min): share the rule box; ask the student to find the pattern in the examples.
  2. Practise (12 min): choose the correct answer, then correct.
  3. Transform (12 min): rewrite sentences aloud first, then in writing.
  4. Produce (10 min): “Use it” task as a short speaking or writing activity.
  5. Feedback (3 min): note two errors to review next lesson.
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