In this lesson, we will continue to explore the inversion structure. Previously, you looked at two functions of Inversion:
Obligation, Rules, Inaction
Under no circumstances should you leave your baggage unattended.
Frequency
Never have I seen such a brilliant display of acting.
Remember! All inversion structures follow the form:
Limiting Adverb + Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Verb
Let's move onto the third function.
Time Relation
No sooner had I stepped into the bath than the phone started ringing.
Hardly/Scarcely/Barely had she arrived at home when her baby fell asleep.
These two structures emphasise that one action happened immediately after another action, and that there was very little delay between the two. There are a few things you need to be aware of with this structure.
The two structures are identical in meaning, however, when you use no sooner, you need to use than to link the two actions together. When it is hardly, barely, or scarcely, you use when.
The first chronological action (i.e. the one that takes place first) takes the past perfect form (had + past participle). It is this had that becomes the auxiliary in this inversion structure.
The second chronological action takes the past simple form.
We can also use only and not in this function, but for a different reason.
Only now do I understand how complex inversion can be.
Only after I got to the airport did I realise I had forgotten my passport at home.
These structures emphasise the time when something happens.
Compare:
I (only) realised I had forgotten my passport at home after I got to the airport. (normal sentence)
Only after I got to the airport did I realise I had forgotten my passport at home. (much stronger feelings)
You need to be careful with the limiting adverb as it isn't fixed in length. The limiting adverb represents the time phrase in the normal sentence. In the first example, now is the time expression so it becomes the adverb in the Inversion sentence. In the second example, after I got to the airport is the time phrase, so the whole phrase becomes the limiting adverb.
Remember! Only put the auxiliary verb after the whole time phrase.
A similar structure uses the adverb not until.
Not until you complete all your work will you be allowed to leave. (much stronger)
You won't be allowed to leave until you complete all your work. (normal sentence)
Don't forget that the adverb here is a long time phrase and that the auxiliary verb only comes after the whole adverb.
Other Structures
not only... but also
Not only did we visit the stunning alps, but we also ate a lot of delicious local cheese.
Not only is used to emphasise the fact there are two, and not one of something, an action or a quality. It can be used with virtually any tense and in any time, so it is a very useful expression to use in many contexts, and thus, is perhaps the most useful inversion structure to be used in any English exam.
Here are some other examples.
Not only will you have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, but you will also get to meet many industry professionals.
Not only have we just had lunch, but we've also had time for a manicure. (emphasising you did two things, as opposed to just one)
We have just had lunch and a manicure. (normal sentence)
Little
Little did we realise how expensive that trip was going to be. (much stronger feelings)
We didn't realise how expensive that trip was going to be. (normal sentence)
Little is used to show a lack of knowledge or understanding. This structure is often used with the verbs realise, understand, know, suspect and expect (as they all have a similar meaning). Here are some other examples.
Little do travellers know that venturing to such a place can be quite dangerous.
Little did the police suspect that that unassuming little woman was actually the murderer.
That concludes the presentation of Inversion. To conclude, just remember the following things:
The form: Limiting Adverb + Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Verb
Inversion sentences are all negative. The negative is in the adverb.
If the sentence begins with a Limiting Adverb, don't forget to invert the subject and auxiliary.
It helps to remember each structure by their function. Even though they all follow they same form, their meanings and functions are all quite different.
Stay tuned for the next lesson which focuses on how inversion is tested in the exam and how you can use it to boost your grammar score.
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