3. Inversion

Inversion is putting the whole predicate or its part before the subject. Therefore, we can distinguish between two types of inversion:

• full inversion (the predicate precedes the subject):

Here comes my bus.

• partial inversion (only part of the predicate (an auxiliary verb, a modal verb, the verb 'to be') is placed before the subject:

Seldom have I eaten at such a luxurious restaurant.

Under no circumstances should you ask them for help.

Is David at home?

Partial inversion is used in the following cases:

1) in questions: Where did you buy this jacket?

2) in if-clauses when should, had, were are used at the beginning of a clause instead of 'if':

Were I you, I would answer in a different way.

Had I accepted that proposal, I would be working in NY now.

Should you meet him, give him my regards.

3) after the following words and expressions:

Seldom Not till/until

Rarely On no occasion

Barely In no way

Scarcely... when Under no circumstances

Hardly... when On no account

No sooner... than Only in this way

Not only... but also Only by

Little Only then

Nowhere (else) Not since

Never (before) Not even once

Rarely do we use home phones nowadays.

Scarcely had they come in when somebody knocked on the door.

If a sentence begins with only if, only when, only after, only by, not till/until, not since we use inversion in the main clause:

Only if you graduate from the university, will you have a chance to find a good job.

4) after so, such, to such a degree:

So kind and beautiful is she that everyone adores her.

Such a bright student was he that he was offered a job before graduating.

5) with so, neither/nor, as to say that something equally applies to somebody/something else:

I love horror films. - So do I.

I haven't received any letters from Janice yet. - Neither/Nor have I.

Stephanie was quite a talented pianist, as was her mother/ and so was her mother.

Full inversion is used in the following cases:

1) after adverbs of place:

Here comes my bus.

There runs a policeman.

In the armchair sat an old woman.

If the subject is a pronoun, there is no inversion:

Here he comes.

2) in Direct Speech if the subject is a noun:

'I have called a taxi,' said the receptionist.

But: 'I have called a taxi,' she said.

Task 11. Define whether the following statements are true or false. If the statement is false, correct it:

	True/False
1. Inversion is putting an auxiliary or full verb before or after the subject.
2. There are two types of inversion in English.
3. After only by, only if, only after, not until we use inversion in the subordinate clause.
4. To emphasize an event that quickly follows another we use the construction Hardly… when.
5. If the subject is expressed by a pronoun, the word order is inverted.
6. To emphasize agreement in responses you can use echoing phrases with neither and so.
7. Partial inversion is used in sentences starting with adverbs of place.
8. We can use had, should, were instead of if in conditional subordinate clauses.

Task 12. Paraphrase the sentences starting with the words in bold:

1. Jack was so tired that he went to bed straight away.

__________________________________________________________________.

2. If you should meet him, tell him my regards.

__________________________________________________________________.

3. She remembered her promise only after she saw her friend.

__________________________________________________________________.

4. We rarely see him these days.

__________________________________________________________________.

5. My father’s car was parked outside.

__________________________________________________________________.

6. If I were you, I would speak to them again.

__________________________________________________________________.

7. They knew little about those events.

__________________________________________________________________.

8. I have never been to this place.

__________________________________________________________________.

9. We could improve the situation only by signing the contract.

__________________________________________________________________.

10. Mike was such a good child that everybody loved him like their own son.

__________________________________________________________________.

Task 13. Paraphrase the sentences using the words in brackets:

1. She is a popular actress, everyone knows her.

____________________________________________________________. (such)

2. You should change your attitude to studying. You’ll get interested in it.

__________________________________________________________. (only by)

3. I haven’t seen such a magnificent painting anywhere else.

_____________________________________________________. (nowhere else)

4. The Watsons entered the room. They heard a knock on the door.

________________________________________________________. (no sooner)

5. You shouldn’t speak to strangers, my darling.

__________________________________________________________. (account)

6. I got very terrified, that’s why I screamed.

______________________________________________________________. (so)

7. I haven’t laughed so since I was a child.

_________________________________________________________. (not since)

8. Bill had no idea that Stella was injured.

____________________________________________________________. (know)

9. Had he said sorry, I would have forgiven him.

_______________________________________________________________. (if)

10. Aunt Mary doesn’t visit her nephew often.

___________________________________________________________. (rarely)

Task 14. Respond to the sentences below:

1. I have never been to Italy. – Neither _________. But I think soon we’ll go there.

2. I didn’t win the game. – Neither ________. I’m so upset.

3. We are going to buy a lot of Christmas presents. – So ________. Let’s do it together.

4. I think we will accept his proposal. – So _______. Our company will make some profit.

5. Not even once have I seen him since then. – Neither ________. I think he has changed.

6. I’m not working today. – Neither _______. Today is my day off.

7. I can’t speak German. – Neither _______. But my English is perfect.

8. I’ve got a stomachache. – So _________. We should go to the doctor.

9. I’m not strong enough to lift this box. – Neither ________. Let’s ask for help.

10. I like this hotel so much. – So ________. We are lucky that we’re staying here.

Task 15. Translate into English using inversion:

1. Не успели мы войти в дом, как зазвонил телефон.
2. Если бы я оказался там вместо тебя, я бы поступил так же. Ни в коем случае мы не должны вести себя иначе в подобных ситуациях.
3. Никогда прежде он не выезжал дальше своего родного города.
4. Таким несчастным он выглядел, что все думали, случилось что-то непоправимое.
5. Только если ты все тщательно обдумаешь, ты сможешь сделать правильный выбор.
6. Ни в коем случае не провожай меня. Я доберусь сама. А вот и мой автобус.
7. Я сдала экзамен! – И я тоже!
8. Очень редко я допускаю ошибки. – Все-таки на вашем месте я бы просмотрела перевод еще раз.
9. Мало он знает о жизни обычного человека. Его родители не только дарят ему дорогие подарки, но и всячески потакают его капризам.
10. Только если я найду новую работу, мы сможем позволить себе этот дом.

Task 16. A: Read the tips on how to be happy. Did you know them before? Do they seem useful? Express your opinion using inversion and emphatic constructions:

The tip: Use your time rationally. Happy people control their lives.

You say: What surprised me is that we should control our time to be happy. Under no circumstances should we waste our time because later we’ll lack it to do what we need. Not only will it make us nervous, but it can also cause depression and tiredness.

1. Seem happy even if you don’t feel it. Your smile will attract others.

2. Do regular exercise. Sports will save you from depression.

3. Get a pet. Animals can calm people down.

4. Develop your soul. Spiritual food will help you to get rid of depression.

5. Get out of town. The countryside will give you fresh air and relaxation.

6. Enjoy every happy moment. Happiness consists of little positive things.

B: Will you follow the tips given above in future? Give your groupmates your own advice on how to be happy if you have any.

Task 17. A: Rewrite the tale using emphatic constructions and inversion. Compare your version of the tale with your groupmates’ ones: