English Grammar and Exercises for ESL

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Inversion
(verb before the subject)

Inversion means putting the verb before the subject.

It is sometimes difficult to remember when inversion is used.
Below you will find some guidelines and examples to help you.

In normal everyday English, inversion is used :

To make questions : Does he? Can you?
After 'so' 'neither', 'nor' : So do I, neither do I, nor do I.

In written English, as well as in a very formal style, inversion is used in the following
cases :

After negative adverbial expressions :

o Under no circumstances can we accept cheques.
o In no way can he be held responsible.
o At no time did she say she would come.

After adverbial expressions of place :

o Round the corner came the postman.
o On the doorstep was a bunch of flowers.

After 'seldom', 'rarely', 'never', in comparisons :

o Seldom have I seen such a beautiful view.
o Rarely did he pay anyone a compliment.
o Never had I felt so happy.

After 'hardly', 'scarcely', 'no sooner', when one thing happens after another.
o Hardly had I begun to speak when I was interrupted.
o Scarcely had we started our meal when the phone rang.
o No sooner had I arrived than they all started to argue.
 After adverbial expressions beginning with 'only' :
o Only after the meeting did I realize the importance of the subject.
After exclamations with 'here' and 'there' :
o Here comes the winner!
o There goes all our money!

PRINTABLE ENGLISH EXERCISES

Inversion
Print and reformulate the following sentences using inversion.
(Correction at the end of the page.)

Example : She at no time said she was vegetarian.

> At no time did she say (that) she was vegetarian.

1. I had hardly begun to apologize when the door closed .

2. I have seldom heard such a talented singer.

3. If John had known that she liked curry, he would have brought her to an Indian
restaurant.

4. The artist rarely paid any attention to his agent's advice.

5. He had never felt so depressed.

6. The shop can in no way be held responsible for customers' lost property.

7. The couple had no sooner arrived than the priest started the ceremony.

8. Tom only understood the meaning of the comment when he saw his wife's face.

9. She never at any time said that she was allergic to cats.

10. The restaurant cannot accept animals under any circumstances.

Correction
1. Hardly had I begun to apologize when the door closed.
2. Seldom have I heard such a talented singer.
3. Had John known that she liked curry, he would have brought her to an Indian
restaurant.
4. Rarely did the artist pay attention to his agent's advice.
5. Never had he felt so depressed.
6. In no way can the shop be held responsible for customers' lost property.
7. No sooner had the couple arrived than the priest started the ceremony.
8. Only when he saw his wife's face did Tom realize the meaning of the comment.
 9. Never at any time had she said (that) she was allergic to cats.
10. Under no circumstances can the restaurant accept animals.

http://www.learn-english-today.com/lessons/lesson_contents/verbs/inversion.html

Conditionals and inversion

In formal English, the subject and the auxiliary can be inverted in the if-clause with if
omitted:

Should you see Kate, say hi from me. (if you should see Kate)
Were he to propose to you now, what would you say? (if he were to propose to you)
Were I you, I would stop smoking. (if I were you)
Were it not for Miguel, we wouldn't know what to do now. (if it weren't for Miguel)
Had we booked our flight earlier, it would have been cheaper. (if we had booked our flight
earlier)
Had it not been for your foolishness, we wouldn't have got lost. (if it hadn't been for your
foolishness)

http://www.grammaring.com/conditionals-and-inversion

Inversion in conditional sentences

Conditional sentences with inversion are more formal than those that follow the usual
word order.

1) In real conditionals inversion is found with the modal verb should, but it is only used
in formal language.

Look at the following examples:

If you need more information, call our office in Green Street.

If you should require any further information, please contact us at our office in Green
Street. (formal)
Should you require any further information, please contact us at our office in Green
Street. (more formal than the previous example)

2) In unreal conditionals it is common to find inversions in formal language.

Were the negotiations to fall through, it would bring about unforeseen problems. (If the
negotiations were to fall through,...)

Had I known about Mr Smith's behaviour sooner , I would have fired him immediately.
(If I had known about Mr Smith's behaviour sooner,...)

In negative clauses with inversion, we don't use contracted forms:

Had the people not been informed, the situation would have been much worse.

English exercise "Inversion in conditional sentences" created by anonyme with The test
builder

1. (the books/be) cheaper, I would have bought them all.

2. (the Prime Minister/fail) to get the necessary support, he would be

forced to call a snap election.

3. (the evidence/not be destroyed) , the accused would have been found

guilty.
4. (you/need) any further assistance, do not hesitate to contact us.

5. (the ship/ not capsize) , there would have been more survivors.
6. (I/win) the prize, I wouldn't spend it on things I don't need.

7. (the storm/be) at night, the rescue team wouldn't have found the lost
boy scouts.

8. (he/decide) to come, please let me know as soon as possible.

9. (I/ be offered) the job, I would have to think about it.

10. (you/have) any further questions, please ask to see the manager.

http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-89063.php