Inversion

Inversion happens when we reverse (invert) the normal word order of a structure.

When does inversion happen?
1. After negative adverbs: never, seldom, rarely, scarcely, hardly) in front position for emphasis, we invert the subject (s) and auxiliary (aux)/modal verb:

• Never have we witnessed such cruel behaviour by one child to another
• Seldom does one hear a politician say ‘sorry’
• Seldom have I seen such beautiful work.

2. Expressions beginning with not + a prepositional phrase or a clause in initial position:

• Not for a moment did I think I would be offered the job, so I was amazed when I got it.
• Not till I got home did I realise my wallet was missing.

3. Here and there: we can use a main verb without an auxiliary verb or modal verb:

• Here comes the bus!
• Here’s your coffee.
• I opened the door and there stood Michael, all covered in mud.

In the following expressions, the inversion comes in the second part of the sentence: Not until, Not since Only after, Only when, Only by

	Not until I saw John with my own eyes did I really believe he was safe.
	Not since Lucy left college had she had such a wonderful time.
	Only after I'd seen her flat did I understand why she wanted to live there.
	Only when we'd all arrived home did I feel calm.
	Only by working extremely hard could we afford to eat. 4. Inverted Conditional Forms  Were I you, I wouldn’t do it. (= If I were you, I wouldn’t do it.) Had I understood the problem, I wouldn’t have made those mistakes. (= If I had understood the problem, I wouldn’t have made those mistakes.)