“Not only will this grammar boost your score, but it will also make you sound sophisticated.”
Inversion is an advanced-level grammatical form that is used primarily to emphasise language to do with the concept of "zero or almost zero". It is typically formal in nature, and can be used in both written or spoken contexts.
We are going to learn several functions of Inversion, and I believe it is easier for you to remember the following rules according to their function. Although the different functions may produce different meanings, the underlying grammatical structure is more-or-less the same. All Inversion sentences follow this structure:
Limiting Adverb + Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Verb
All Inversion sentences begin with what's called a Limiting Adverb. Basically, it is an adverb (or adverb phrase) that represents the "zero or almost" meaning. The majority of these are fixed expressions and cannot be changed in any way. In spoken language, the adverb is typically stressed to further emphasise your message. Following the adverb is always an Auxiliary Verb.
No sooner had I stepped into the bath than the phone started ringing.
Remember! The Auxiliary Verbs in English are : BE, HAVE, DO, and MODAL VERBS (e.g. will, should, must etc.)
If you think about it carefully, inversion takes on the appearance of questions, and thus, follow question form. But remember, they are not questions, but rather statements.
Obligation, Rules, and Inaction
Under no circumstances should you allow anyone into the club without checking their age.
On no account should he use a hot water bottle as it is likely to scald his leg.
Under no circumstances and On no account are typically used to describe rules and obligations. Should is the most common auxiliary verb used here (must is also possible). The first sentence is a stronger version of "You must not allow anyone into the club without checking their age." Similarly, the second one is a stronger version of "You must not use a hot water bottle as it is likely to scald his leg."
At no point did the accused step onto the man's property on the night of the 24th.
This example is a stronger version of, "The accused did not step onto the man's property on the night of the 24th." At no point is often used to explain that somebody did not do anything. Often it is used as a means of defending oneself from an accusation. This adverb is typically used with the past simple, but the present simple is also possible.
(In) no way will these actions make up for the psychological harm that was done.
In no way is similar to At no point, except that it's often used in the present or future time to describe something you will or would not do. Use will for realistic or possible situations (e.g. No way will I wear that to the party) and would for unrealistic or hypothetical situations (e.g. No way would I travel to that country because of the dangers to tourists). You can also use other future tenses (i.e. present continuous or be going to) keeping in mind the different functions of each.
In no way is the government going to concede on the climate change matter. (be going to for intentions)
Present simple (or past simple) can also be used to describe states (e.g. In no way is this meant to be an easy grammar topic).
In no way using In tends to be more formal and used in written language than No way, which tends to be used more in spoken language.
Frequency
This second function talks about how infrequent something happens.
Never have I seen such a spectacular sunrise. (more emphatic)
I have never seen such a spectacular sunrise. (normal sentence)
Never emphasises the zero quality. In the case above, the sentence implies that this sunrise is the most beautiful sunrise he has ever seen in his life.
Rarely/Scarcely/Seldom do you see tourists at this secluded beach. (more emphatic)
You rarely see tourists at this secluded beach. (normal sentence)
Rarely, Scarcely, Seldom are used, as the name implies, with the meaning of not often.
Both of these structures can be used with the present perfect and present simple. The present perfect tense carries the meaning of experience in your life, i.e. from the day you were born until now. The present simple tense implies a general truth or habit or routine. Remember that the auxiliary verb in present perfect is have (or has) and do (or does) for present simple. The be verb may be used in a passive construction (e.g. Seldom are bags checked upon arrival).
Check out the next lesson with the remaining functions of Inversion.
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