Inversion

Mechanism. Common function of the word order in the contrasted languages is distinguishing relevant topicalisation of sentences (topic and comment). However, there are some divergences. In some cases inversion (when the Subject follows the Predicate) is possible, but its functions differ from Ukrainian ones. In Ukrainian sentence inversion with the subject in final position chiefly denotes that the subject affords comment (or ‘new or unknown information’). У кімнату увійшла дівчинка (якась дівчинка). Within proper word order the subject is the topic of the sentence (or ‘something familiar’) and the adverbial modifier is the rheme of the sentence (Дівчина увійшла у кімнату). In English such change of the word order is not required as the category of distinctness/ indistinctness is expressed by an article. (A girl entered the room – The girl entered the room).

There are some types of inversion. In English (as well as in Ukrainian) a final position of the subject is possible if it makes the rheme, and an adverbial modifier starts the sentence (In the middle of the room stood a big table; Then came a knock at the door).

In an English sentence a partial emphatic inversion is also possible, when an adverbial modifier (rarely – an object) is in the initial position and it is a contrastive (emphatically focused) comment. Only then did he realized the danger. Never in my life have I seen such things; Not a word did he say to me. Only to you can I tell the whole truth. Hardly had he entered, when he saw a stranger.

In Ukrainian the inversion of the sort is observed quite rarely. On the other hand, transpositions of any parts of a sentence are possible to separate the comment that follows the topic. Я йому про це скажу пізніше. Про це я скажу лише йому. Про це скажу йому я, а не ти.

However, it is allowed to arrange the transpositions of the secondary parts of a sentence quite restrictedly in English. In stylistically neutral (non-emphatic) models (as in Ukrainian) the comment follows the topic. He sent me this letter yesterday. (the sentence answers the question When?). Yesterday he sent me a postcard (adverbial modifier yesterday becomes the topic and the rest part of the sentence is the comment and it answers the question What happened yesterday?). Compare: He left the room very quickly. He quickly left the room. Quickly, he rose and left the room.

For comment focus there are special emphatic models (It was he who helped me; or He did helped me). But in Ukrainian various emphatic particles are mainly used (Саме він допоміг мені; Він все ж таки допоміг мені; Він-таки допоміг мені).

Function

Generally, inversion is writing which reverses the usual order of words (Subject-Verb structure). It may be used in poetry to help the writer to make a rhyme or put particular emphasis on a word. An example would be: "Mad indeed would I be to expect it..." (inverted word order). "I would be mad indeed..." (proper word order).

Here it is about creating an effect used to draw you deeper into the story. In both examples above, the adjective "mad" is an attention grabber (probably stressed more in the first sentence than it would be in the middle of the clause).

In the first sentence it is presented at the beginning to give a kind of preface to the rest of the sentence and to catch your eye-mind-emotion chain. In the second sentence it takes your eye-to-mind reception a few milliseconds more to get to the dynamic adjective.

Therefore, we use these forms to emphasize our statements when we are expressing our opinions, disagreeing, making strong suggestions, expressing annoyance, etc.

Here's a few more: Legal behaviour it may be; moral behaviour it is not. A very reckless man is William Jefferson. Ride you this afternoon? Up you go!

E.g. the normal non-inverted English Subject-Verb structure: Steven is an extremely attractive man. Inverted Verb-Subject: An extremely attractive man is Steven.

Broadly speaking, inversion refers to an irregular verb placement form.

Types of inversion

1. Use of Question Form. Exceptional Use of 'Do' or 'Did'. Normally, the auxiliary verbs 'do' and 'did' are not used in positive sentences - for example: He went to the store. NOT He did go to the store. However, in order to emphasize something we feel strongly these auxiliary verbs can be used as an exception to the rule: No that's not true. John did speak to Mary. I do believe that you should think twice about this situation.

Note this form is often used to express something contrary to what another person believes.

In this case, the question form (auxiliary + subject + main verb) takes the place of the standard positive sentence structure (i.e. He goes to work every day): Not only do I enjoy classical music, but I also have a season ticket to the symphony. Seldom has the boss been so upset!

So, the question form is substituted for standard sentence structure in a statement. Generally, an inversion is used to stress the uniqueness of an event and begins with a negative.

Note that the auxiliary verb is placed before the subject which is followed by the main verb.

2. Negative Adverbials. Invert the word order by placing a prepositional phrase or other expression (at no time, suddenly into, little, rarely, seldom, never, etc.) at the beginning of the sentence followed by inverted word order. At no time did I say you couldn't come. Hardly had I arrived when he started complaining. Little did I understand what was happening. Seldom have I felt so alone.

These time expressions are used with a perfect form or with modals and often include comparatives: Never have I been more insulted! Seldom has he seen anything stranger.

Time expressions: hardly, barely, no sooner, or scarcely. These time expressions are used when there are a succession of events in the past. Scarcely had I got out of bed when the doorbell rang.

No sooner had he finished dinner, when she walked in the door.

After 'Only'

Expressions such as 'only after', 'only when', 'only then', etc.

Only' is used with a time expression. Only then did I understand the problem. Only after understanding the situation does the teacher make a comment.

After 'Little'.

'Little' is used in a negative sense. Little did he understand the situation. Little have I read concerning nanotechnology.

After 'So', 'Such', and 'That' 'So'

'So + adjective ... that' combines with the verb 'to be'. So strange was the situation that I couldn't sleep. So difficult is the test that students need three months to prepare.

'Such'

'So + to be + noun ... (that)': Such is the moment that all greats traverse. Such is the stuff of dreams.

3. Inverted Conditional Forms. Sometimes conditional forms are inverted as a means of sounding more formal. In this case, the conditional 'if' is dropped and the inverted forms takes the place of the 'if clause'. Had he understood the problem, he wouldn't have committed those mistakes. Should he decide to come, please telephone.

4. Cleft Sentences: It/ What. Sentences introduced by 'It is' or 'It was' are often used to emphasize a specific subject or object. The introductory clause is then followed by a relative pronoun. It was I who received the promotion. It is the awful weather that drives him crazy.

The clause introduced by 'What' is employed as the subject of the sentence as is followed by the verb 'to be'. What we need is a good long shower. What he thinks isn't necessarily true.