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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.)

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English Subjunctive

We don’t use the subjunctive very much in contemporary English unless we wish to sound very formal. The base subjunctive is typically used in that clauses after two structures:
1. Certain verbs  demand, insist, recommend, suggest, advise, ask, command, demand, desire, insist, order, prefer, propose, recommend, request
  • People demand that the troops be withdrawn.
  • The boss insisted that Sam not be at the meeting.
  • I suggest that he study.
  • Jake recommended that Susan be hired immediately.
2. After some adjectives: advisable, best, crucial, desirable, essential, imperative, important, necessary, unthinkable, urgent, vital

  • It is important that everyone register.
  • Is it essential that we be there?
You should write the base of the verb after the that cluse, for example: be, have, do, go, sing, work. The base subjunctive does not use any other forms (goes, sings, works).

 "should" is sometimes  used more frequently in British English

Examples:
  • The doctor recommended that she should see a specialist about the problem.
  • Professor William suggested that Wilma should study harder for the final exam.
  • It is essential (that) you should be given your medication
  • Compare also the following:
  • The doctor recommended (that) he should give up smoking. 
  • The doctor recommended (that) he give up smoking. (More formal)
  • The doctor recommended (that) he gives up smoking. (Less formal)