inversions 0

 INVERSIONS 

PART 1

Inversion after negative adverbials

Never before, rarely, seldom, barely, hardly, scarcely, scarcely… when-before, no sooner… than. 

Never before:

Never before will I forget this amazing experience. (Future)

Never before was he  so disappointed in his team. (Past)

Never before has she been so confident. (Present Perfect)

Rarely:

Rarely will you find such a dedicated worker. (Future)

Rarely did they agree on anything. (Past)

Rarely have we seen such a rapid change. (Present Perfect)

Seldom:

Seldom will you hear him speak so passionately. (Future)

Seldom did they visit their grandparents. (Past)

Seldom have I met someone so kind. (Present Perfect)

Seldom was he in the school. past

Seldom do I go to parties. Present 

Barely:

Barely will you recognize the city after the renovation. (Future)

Barely had they left when the storm began. (Past Perfect)

Barely has she touched her dinner. (Present Perfect)

Hardly:

Hardly will they believe what happened. (Future)

Hardly had he spoken when the crowd cheered. (Past Perfect)

Hardly have we finished when the next task begins. (Present Perfect)

Scarcely:

Scarcely will you find a quieter place. (Future)

Scarcely had they finished eating when the fire alarm went off. (Past Perfect)

Scarcely have I heard such an inspiring story. (Present Perfect)

Scarcely… when:

Scarcely will you start the project when new issues will arise. (Future)

Scarcely had they settled in when they had to move again. (Past Perfect)

Scarcely have I cleaned the house when it gets messy again. (Present Perfect)

Scarcely… before:

Scarcely will he complete his training before he starts the job. (Future)

Scarcely had we finished the meeting before the emails started arriving. (Past Perfect)

Scarcely have they booked the tickets before the event got canceled. (Present Perfect)

No sooner… than:

No sooner will the show start than the tickets will be sold out. (Future)

No sooner had we arrived than it began to snow. (Past Perfect)

No sooner have I written the report than my boss asks for another. 

No sooner was he talking his key than he dog barked. 

No sooner do I get into my home than I will take a nap. 

(Present Perfect)

I play

I dont play

Do I play

PART 2

Inversion after only expressions

• Only+ a time expression. Only after, only later, only if, only once, only then, only when

Only + a time expression:

Only after midnight did they finally leave the party. (Past)

Only in the morning will we know the results. (Future)

Only at the last minute did she decide to join us. (Past)

Only after:

Only after the meeting ended did they understand the plan. (Past)

Only after you apologize will she talk to you again. (Future)

Only after we had arrived did we realize the mistake. (Past Perfect)

Only later:

Only later did they discover the hidden room. (Past)

Only later will you see the true benefits of this decision. (Future)

Only later have we come to appreciate her efforts. (Present Perfect)

Only if:

Only if you ask nicely will he help you. (Present)

Only if she had known would she have acted differently. (Past Perfect)

Only if they agree will the plan proceed. (Future)

Only once:

Only once did I meet her, but she left a strong impression. (Past)

Only once have we tried this method, and it worked. (Present Perfect)

Only once will he visit, so make sure to be there. (Future)

Only then:

Only then did I understand what he meant. (Past)

Only then will we begin the project. (Future)

Only then have I realized the importance of the lesson. (Present Perfect)

Only when:

Only when the sun sets does the magic show begin. (Present)

Only when I had finished my homework did I go out to play. (Past Perfect)

Only when you complete the form will you be eligible. (Future)

Only when she starts therapy will she get better. 

Only when he started to work was she looking for him.