Inversion for Emphasis
Fronting a negative or limiting adverbial for a formal, emphatic effect.
Score: 0 / 10
1. ___ had I arrived than the phone rang.
2. ___ have I seen such a beautiful sunset.
3. ___ did she realize her mistake.
4. ___ only did he apologize, but he also brought flowers.
5. ___ should you open this door.
6. ___ did I realize how difficult the exam would be.
7. ___ such a mess have I seen in my life.
8. ___ had she finished speaking than the audience began to applaud.
9. ___ have I encountered such rudeness.
10. ___ the bell rang than the students rushed out.
Answer key — Inversion for Emphasis (C2)
- A — No sooner. No sooner … than is the fixed pairing for inversion.
- A — Never. Never + inverted auxiliary + subject, for emphasis.
- A — Only then. Only then + inversion: Only then did she realize…
- A — Not. Not only … but also is the fixed inversion pairing.
- A — Under no circumstances. Under no circumstances + inversion (should + subject) for a strong prohibition.
- A — Little. Little did I know/realize + inversion, for lack of awareness.
- A — Never. Never + inversion: Never have I seen such a mess.
- A — No sooner. No sooner pairs with than; Hardly/Scarcely pair with when instead.
- A — Rarely. Rarely + inversion, for emphasis.
- A — No sooner had. No sooner had … than is the fixed inversion structure.
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