CHUYÊN ĐỀ NGỮ PHÁP : INVERSION

What is inversion?
Inversion is the reversal of the normal order of the subject and
the verb in a sentence.
I had never seen so many people in one room. (= normal word
order)
Never had I seen so many people in one room. (= inversion)
When do we use inversion?
Inversion is used to put emphasis on a certain part of a statement
or to make a question.
How many kinds of inversion are there?
The term inversion covers 2 different grammatical operations.
1. Using a question form of the main verb.
Eg: Never have I enjoyed myself more!
2. Changing the normal positions of verb and subject.
Eg: Along the street came a strange procession.
I. Inversion by changing the normal positions of verbs and
subject.
1. Inversion after adverbial phrases of direction and place
When we put an adverbial phrase, especially of direction or place,
at the beginning of a sentence, we sometimes put an intransitive
verb in front of its subject.
Adv + V +
S
E.g. The car is coming here.
→ Here is coming the car.
The resort stands far from the city centre.
→ far from the city center stands the resort
The two men were standing in front of the stadium.
→ In front of the stadium were standing the two men
They were standing in front of the stadium.
→ In front of the stadium they were standing
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They/ The men are talking in front of the cinema.
→ In front of the cinema the men are talking.
The teacher blew a whistle and the children ran off
→ The teacher blew a whistle and off ran the children
There was a picture on the wall.
→On the wall was a picture
Note 1:
Verbs used in this case are: be, climb, come, fly, go, hang, lie,
run, sit, stand,live.
Eg: In an armchair sat his mother.
- Inversion often occurs after adverbs such as back, down, in, off,
up, round....
Eg: Suddenly down came the rain.
Note 2: We don't invert subject and verb when the subject is a
pronoun.
E.g. She sat in an armchair.
→ In an armchair she sat.
Further practice:
Rewrite these sentences with the adverbial phrase(s) of direction
or place at the front of the clause. Use inversion where possible.
1. The people dived for cover as the bullets flew over their heads.
→ The people dived for cover as over their heads flew the bullets
2. That night, just as John had predicted, a heavy snowfall came
down.
→ Down came a heavy snowfall that night, just as John had
predicted
3. A line of police officers was behind the protesters.
→ behind the protesters was a line of police officers.
4. A small stream ran at the end of the street. There was an
overgrown garden across the stream.

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→ At the end of the street ran a small stream and across the stream was an overgrown
garden.
5. She could hear the sound of the tractor and suddenly it came
round the corner.
→ She could hear the sound of the tractor and suddenly round the corner it came.
6. A white pillar was in front of them and a small, marble statue
stood on top of it.
→On top of a white pillar in front of them stood a small, marble statue
7. The teacher blew a whistle and the children ran off.
→ the teacher blew a whistle and off ran the children.
8. Dave began to open the three parcels. There was a book of
crosswords from his Aunt Alice in the first one.
→ Dave began to open the three parcels. In the first parcel was a book…..
9. There was a portrait of the Duke above the fireplace.
→ Above the fireplace was a portrait of the Duke
10. His mother sat in an armchair.
→ in an armchair sat his mother
11. Austin, Texas, lies at the edge of the Hill County.
→ At the edge of the Hill country lies Austin, Texas

2. Inversion in a sentence with reporting verbs

The subject can come after reporting verbs like “say , tell , ask …
” when these are in the middle or at the end of the direct speech.

“She is pretty”, said he.

“I have four children”, answered the old man, ” and they are all
studying abroad”.

3. In sentences expressing Wish and Concession (nhượng bộ):

Eg:

Long live the Vietnamese Nation!

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So be it!

4. In the Imperative Mood if there is a subject expressed by a

pronoun in set phrases – survival of the old word order:

Eg: Mind you what I say. Don’t you forget to do that.

5. When the sentences begin with the following words: here,

there, now, then, but only if the subject is a noun. If the subject is
a personal pronoun, no inversion takes place.

E.g.

Here are a few funny stories.

There goes the last train. We have missed it.

Now come the end of our lesson today.

But: Here they are. There she comes.

II. Inversion by using a question form of the main verb.

1. Inversion in conditional sentences:
Type 1: Should + S+ (not) + V = If + C
Type 2: Were + S +(not) + to-infinitive/ Pro/... = If + C
Type 3: Had + S + (not)+ P2 = If + C
1. If you try hard, you can succeed.
→ should you try hard,you can succeed
2. If I were you, I wouldn't do that.
→ Were I you , I wouldn’t do that
3. If you left me, I would kill you.
→Were you to leave me , I would ……
4. If I had taken your advice, I wouldn't have lost the money.
→ Had I taken your advice , I………..
Further practice:
Give the correct verb forms or tenses.
1. It would be a serious setback, (the talks/ fail).

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→It would be a serious setback were the talks to fail
2. (You/need) more information, please telephone our main
office.
→ Should you need more information , ………
3. (Alex/ask), I would have been able to help.
→ Had Alex asked , I ….
4. (He/ not/ resign), we would have been forced to sack him.
→ Had he not resigned , we….
5. (You/ decide) to accept the post, you will be expected to start
work on 1st April.
→ Should you decide to accept the post , you ….
6. (Hear) the news, she broke out into tears.
→Hearing the news , ………
7. (Convince) that they were trying to poison him, he refused to
eat anything.
→ Convinced that ……….
8. (Not know) the language and (have) no friends in the town, he
found it hard to get work.
→not knowing the language and having no friends ……….
9. (The chemicals/leak), a large area of the sea would be
contaminated.

→ Were the chemicals to leak, a large……

2. Inversion in a sentence beginning with a negative or a semi-negative

word or phrase

The following words and phrases are followed by an inversion of

subject and verb when they begin a sentence or an independent
clause.

 never
 rarely
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 seldom
 hardly ever
 hardly
 scarcely
 scarcely/hardly/barely … when/before
 in no (other) way
 at no time
 little
 not + object
 not once
 not often
 not only … but … as well
 not only … but also
 no sooner … than
 not until
 on no account
 nowhere
 not until
 nowhere
 on no condition
 nor
 under/in no circumstances
 for no reason
 No longer/more
 In vain

For example:

Mary not only works at the post office but she also works at the
grocery store. -> Not only does Mary work at the post office but
she also works at the grocery store.

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Max never bought another motorcycle again. -> Never again did
Max buy another motorcycle.

Eg: At no time did they actually break the rules of the game.

Eg: On no account do you go out.

Further practice:

Rewrite the following sentences by inverting negative words in

front of the sentences:

1. I have never heard a weaker excuse!

→never have I heard a weaker excuse

2. A minister can rarely have been faced with such a problem

→Rarely can a minister have been faced with such a problem

3. The team has seldom given a worse performance.

→Seldom has the team given a worse performance

4. I had rarely had so much responsibility.

→Rarely had I had so much responsibility

5. The train had hardly left the station when there was an
explosion.

→Hardly had the train left the station when there was an explosion

6. I had scarcely entered the room when the phone rang.

→Scarcely had I entered the room when the phone rang

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7. The team was no sooner back on the pitch than it started
raining.

→ No sooner had the team been back on the pitch than it started raining

8. They are not to open fire without a warning on any condition.

→ On no condition are they to open.................

9. I didnot notice that I had the wrong umbrella until I got home.

→Not until I got home did I notice that I had the wrong umbrella

10. The government little appreciates what the results will be.

→Little does the government appreciate what ….

11. I have never seen this sight.
→Never have I seen this sight
12. You shouldn't tell the police under any circumstances.
→Under no circumstances should you tell the police
13. I cannot leave the house on any condition.
→ On no condition can I leave the house
14. They cannot blame the taxi driver in any way.
→In no way can they blame the taxi driver
Note 1:
Inversion after expressions with not...,
* not only, not until, not until later, not until when, not + object,
no + object + inversion:
Eg: Nothing can he do.
Eg: No money will I lend you.
Eg: Not until August did the government order an inquiry into the
accident.
Eg: Not a single word has she written since the exam has started.
* Not only + inversion + but also.../..........as well.
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Eg: Not only is he good at E but he also speaks Chinese well.
Eg: Not only E can he speak but also Chinese.
* Not later/until/till/then + C, inversion
Eg: I hadn't known her until they told me.
- Not until they told me had I known her.
* Not since + N/C, inversion:
Eg: Not since we left shool have we seen each other.
Note 2:
Inversion after only
* only later, only after, only once, only then, only when, only in
this way, only in that way... + inversion
Eg: Only then did she know his real feeling.
Eg: Only once did I go to the opera in the whole time I was in
Italy.
* After only + other prepositional phrases beginning only by...,
only in...., only after..., only with....+ N/ V-ing + inversion.
Eg: Only by her help is my E good.
Eg: Only by chance had Jameson discovered where the birds were
nesting.
* Only when/if/after + C, inversion:
E.g. Only when he left did I realize I loved him.
I realized that I had made a mistake not until I came home.
→ Not until I came home did I realize that…
I did not know who he was until the light was on.
→ Not till the light was on did I know who he was.
3. Inversion after " so + adj/adv....that", " such + be...that", "
neither.../ nor...."
Eg: Her business was so successful that Marie was able to retire
at the age of 50.
- So successful was her business, that.................

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Eg: The play is so popular that the theatre is likely to be full every
night.
- Such is the popularity of the play....
Note: Such used with be means so much/so great
Further practice:
Rewrite the following sentences as required by using so/such
placed at the beginning of the sentences.
1. It was an interesting film. We saw it many times.
→ So interesting was the film that we …….
2. She gives Tom easy exercises. He can do them in only 15
minutes.
→So easy are exercises that Tom can
3. These boxes were very heavy. They had to ask for our help.
→so heavy were these boxes that they …
4. He has much work to do. He can’t go to the cinema with us.
→ So much work does he have to do that He can't ...
5. The man was very friendly. Everybody liked him.
→ Such was his friendliness that ………..
So friendly was the man that ….
6. He was very late. He missed the train.
→So late was he that he……
7. There were many people in the room. We couldn’t move.
→So many people were there in the room that ……..
8. The actors and actresses acted well. The audience was moved
to tears.
→so well did the actors and actresses act that …..
9.The storm was so strong that many houses were blown down.
→such was the strength of the storm that………./So strong was the storm that
10. The force of the storm was so great that some areas may
never recover.
→such was the force of the storm that ……
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4. Many a time + inversion:
Eg: Many a time has he told me he loves me.
I have told you many times that you are wasting your time.
→many a time ( = many times) have I told you that …..
Many students like English.
= Many a student likes English.
5. Inversion in comparisons with "as" and " than"
S + V + as + adj/adv + as + S
S + V + adj/adv, as + inversion

In formal style , “as” expressing similarity can be followed by an

inversion. For example:

Alice is a vegetarian, as are most of her relatives.

Tom likes football, as do his classmates.

She is as tall as her brother.

She is tall, as is her brother.

I write as carelessly as Giang.

I write carelessly, as does Giang.
The cake was as excellent as the coffee.
The cake was excellent, as was the coffee.
S + V + adj/adv-er....+ than + S
S + V + ad/adv-er....+ than + inversion.
She is more intelligent than most of her friends.
She is more intelligent than are most of her friends.
Research shows that children living in villages watch more
television than their counterparts do in inner city areas.
Research shows that children living in villages watch more
television than do their counterparts in inner city areas.
She drives better than her boyfriend.
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→

6. Inversion in the structure with “so” and “neither”

He likes tea and I do too. -> He likes tea and so do I.

He isn’t a student and she is not either. -> He isn’t a student and
neither is she.

“So” is used in positive sentences and “neither” in negative

sentences.

“So” and “too” have the same meaning, but only “so” needs
inversion.

“Neither” and “either” have the same meaning but only “neither”
needs inversion.

7. Inversion in a sentence beginning with an adverb or adverb phrase.

For example:

Often have I heard it said that he is not to be trusted.

Twice within my lifetime have world wars taken place.

8. an emphasized “Thus” is put at the head of the sentence:

Eg: Thus was the country plundered by the invaders.

9. Far too often

All too often

E.g. Far too often does she visit me because we are close friends.

10. Inversion in a sentence beginning with a predicate

For example:

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Darkening is the sky.
Present at the meeting were the President, the Prime Minister and
all Members of the Cabinet.

Fine and sunny was the morning when we started our journey.

Clearly and loudly did he speak that everybody could hear him.

Fresh is the air in the morning.

Beautiful are flowers in the morning.
10.1. Introductory –ed
This type of inversion usually occurs with be-verbs, but
sometimes with linking verbs.
Found in San Francisco is Lombard Street, the so-called
crookedest street in the world.
Lost among the old tables and chairs was the priceless Victorian
desk.
Located between San Francisco and Marin County is the Golden
Gate Bridge.
10.2. Introductory –ing
Used only with be-verbs.
Burning out of control was the forest located in the foothills of the
Sierra Nevada mountains.
Coming in last in the race was Joe "Elephant Legs" Blow.
Not helping the situation was little Susie, who was throwing
newspaper on the spreading fire.
10.3. Introductory comparative
Used with be-verbs.
Bigger than an apatosaur is the blue whale.
More important than your personal statement is your GPA.
No less impressive than the invention of the laser was the
development of the wheel.

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10.4. Introductory adjective
  Used with be-verbs.
Beautiful beyond belief was my baby daughter.
Happy about their acceptance into their dream schools were Lany
and Tomo.
Quick and painless will be your medical procedure.
11. Emphasis
Boy am I hungry.
Is it ever hot in here!
Do you know how to cook!

EXERCISES FOR PRACTICE

Exercise 1: Rewrite the sentences, putting the words in italics at
the beginning, and making any other necessary changes.
1. They had seldom participated in such a fascinating ceremony.
->seldom had they participated in such a fascinating ceremony.
2. I pleaded with him in vain. He was adamant.
→ In vain did I plead with him. He was adamant.
3. Miss Weaver will not be offered the job under any
circumstances.
→ Under no circumstances will Miss Weaver be offered the job.
4. If the film should be a box-office success, there may be a
sequel.
→ should the film be a box-office success, there may be a sequel
5. He was so surprised to be addressed by the Queen that he
didn’t answer at once.
→ so surprised was He to be addressed by the Queen that he
didn’t answer at once
6. If only they had confirmed by phone, the airline could have
warned them.

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->Had they confirmed by phone, the airline could have warned
them.
7. He hardly entered the house when the police arrested him.
→ hardly had He entered the house when the police arrested him.
8. I never for one moment thought the consequences would be so
far-reaching.
→ never for one moment did I think the consequences would be
so far-reaching.
9. She has rarely traveled more than fifty miles from her village.
→ rarely has she traveled more than fifty miles from her village.
10. You must on no account lift heavy weights like that again.
→ on no account must You lift heavy weights like that again.
11. I had scarcely put down the phone when it rang again.
→ scarcely had I put down the phone when it rang again.
12. The defendant did not express his misgiving in any way.
→ in no way did The defendant express his misgiving.
13. The task was so difficult that expert assistance was required.
→ so difficult was The task that expert assistance was required.
14. If they had accepted our offer, we would have moved house
by now.
→ had they accepted our offer, we would have moved house by
now.
Exercise 2: Rewrite each sentence, starting as shown, so that the
meaning stays the same.
1. Only when the office phoned me that I found out about the
meeting.
Not until the office phoned me did I find out about the meeting.
2. The facts were not all made public until later.
Only later were all the facts made public.

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3. If I had realized what would happen, I wouldn’t have accepted
the job.
Had I realized what would happen I wouldn’t have accepted the
job.
4. The response to our appeal was so great that we had to take on
more staff.
Such was the response to our appeal that we had to take on more
staff.
5. Harry broke his leg, and also injured his shoulder.
Not only did Harry break his leg, but he also injured his shoulder.
→
6. The police didn’t at all suspect that the judge was the
murderer.
Little did the police suspect that the judge was the murderer.
7. If you do happen to see Helen, could you ask her to call me?
Should you see Helen, could you ask her to call me.
8. The bus driver cannot be blamed for the accident in any way.
In no way can the bus driver be blamed for the accident
9. The snowfall was so heavy that all the trains had to be
cancelled.
So heavy was the snowfall that all the trains had to be cancelled.
10. If the government raised interest rates, they would lost the
election.
Were the government to raise interest rates they would lose the
election.
Exercise 3: Rewrite each sentence, so that it contains the word or
words in capitals, so that the meaning stays the same.
1. Were Smith to resign, I might stands a change of getting his
job. IF
If Smith resigned, I might stand a chance of getting his job.

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→
2. Such was the demand for tickets that people queued day and
night. GREAT
The demand for tickets was so great that people queued night and
day.
3. The money is not to be paid under any circumstance. NO
Under no circumstances is the money to be paid.
4. Three days passed before we arrived at the first oasis. NOT
UNTIL
Not until three days had passed did we arrive at the first oasis.
It was not until three days later that we arrived.
5. Hardly had the ship left port than a violent storm developed.
SOON AFTER
Soon after the ship left the port, a violent storm developed.
6. They would have discovered land sooner had they carried a
compass. IF
If they had carried a compass they would have discovered land
sooner.
7. Little did Brenda know what she was letting herself in for. IDEA
Brenda had no idea what she was letting herself in for.
8. It was only when I stopped that I realized something was
wrong. DID I
Only when I stopped did I realize that something was wrong.
9. The accused never expressed regret for what he had done. AT
NO TIME
At no time did the accused express regret for what he had done .
10. So exhausted were the runners that none of them finished the
race. TOO
The runners were too exhausted to finish the race.

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Exercise 4: Rewrite each sentence, starting as shown, so that the
meaning stays the same.
1. As soon as I got into the bath, someone knocked at the door.
→ No sooner had I got into the bath than someone knocked on the
door
2. There was so much uncertainty that the financial markets
remained closed
→ Such was the uncertainty that the financial markets remained
closed.
3. Its not common for there to be so much rain in March.
→ Seldom is there so much rain in march.
4. You won’t be allowed in until your identify has been checked.
→. Only when your identity has been checked will you be allowed
in.
5. Just after the play started three was a power failure.
→ Hardly had the play started when there was a power failure.
6. The Prime Minister has hardly ever made a speech as inept as
this.
→ Rarely has the PM made a speech so inept as this.
7. We had only just arrived home when the police called.
→ Scarcely had we arrived home when the police called
8. Press photographers are banned from taking photographs
backstage.
→ On no account are press photographers allowed to take
photographs backstage
9. The way so much money has been spent to so little purpose
must be a record!
→ Never before has so much money been spent to so little
purpose.
10. The judge was taken ill just after the trail proceedings began.

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→ Barely had the trail proceedings begun when the judge was
taken ill.
Exercise 5: Rewrite each sentence, starting as shown, so that the
meaning stays the same.
1. Only when the office phoned me that I found out about the
meeting.
a. Not until the office phoned me did I find out about the meeting.
b. Not until the office phone me that I found out about the
meeting.
c. Not until the office phone me I found out about the meeting.
d. Not until the office phoned me did I find out about the meeting.
2. The facts were not all made public until later.
a. Only later all the facts were made public.
b. Only later were all the facts made public.
c. Only later were made all the facts public.
d. Only later did all the facts make public.
3. If I had realized what would happen, I wouldn’t have accepted
the job.
a. Had I realized what would happen I wouldn’t have accepted the
job.
b. Did I realize what would happen I wouldn’t have accepted the
job.
c. If Had I realized what would happen I wouldn’t have accepted
the job.
d. Had I realized what would happen I would have accepted the
job.
4. The response to our appeal was so great that we had to take on
more staff.
a. Such was the response to our appeal that we had to take on
more staff.

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b. Such great was the response to our appeal that we had to take
on more staff.
c. Such strong was the response to our appeal that we had to take
on more staff.
d. Such the response to our appeal was that we had to take on
more staff.
5. Harry broke his leg, and also injured his shoulder.
a. Not only Harry broke his leg, but he also injured his shoulder.
b. Not only Harry broke his leg, but did he also injure his
shoulder.
c. Not only did Harry break his leg, but he also injured his
shoulder.
d. Not only did Harry break his leg, but did he also injure his
shoulder.
6. The police didn’t at all suspect that the judge was the
murderer.
a. Little did the police suspect that the judge was the murderer.
b. Little did the police suspected that the judge was the murderer.
c. Little do the police suspect that the judge was the murderer.
d. Little suspected the police that the judge was the murderer.
7. If you do happen to see Helen, could you ask her to call me?
a. If should you see Helen, could you ask her to call me?
b. Should you see Helen, could you ask her to call me
c. Should see you Helen, could you ask her to call me?
d. Should if you see Helen, could you ask her to call me?
8. The bus driver cannot be blamed for the accident in any way.
a. In no way can the bus driver be blamed for the accident.
b. At no way can the bus driver be blamed for the accident.
c. Under no way can the bus driver be blamed for the accident.
d. By no way can the bus driver be blamed for the accident.

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9. The snowfall was so heavy that all the trains had to be
cancelled.
a. So heavy was the snowfall that all the trains had to be
cancelled.
b. So was the heavy snowfall that all the trains had to be
cancelled.
c. Such heavy was the snowfall that all the trains had to be
cancelled.
d. Such was the snowfall heavy that all the trains had to be
cancelled.
10. If the government raised interest rates, they would lost the
election.
a. If were the government to raise interest rates they would lose
the election.
b. Were to raise interest rates the government they would lose
the election.
c. Were the government to raise interest rates they would lose
the election.
d. Were the government raised interest rates they would lose the
election.
Exercise 5: Put these adverbials in first position:
1. She rarely smiles at me.
-> rarely does she smile at me
2. I hadn’t known her until he told me.
-> not until he told me did I know her
3. You will hardly finish your work before it’s dark.
-> Hardly will you finish your work before it’s dark
4. You can buy this book only in this shop.
Only in this shop can you buy this book
5. My teacher is no longer teaching in this school.

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No longer is my teacher teaching in this school
6. She has never seen such a beautiful sight.
Never has she seen such a beautiful sight
7. This rich man seldom helps the poor.
Seldom does this man help the poor
8. She never in life felt happy.
Never in life did she feel happy.
9. People did not discover AIDS until 1981.
Not until 1981 did people discover AIDS
10. Martin had no sooner sat down than the telephone rang.
No sooner had Martin sat down than the ….
11. The lost child could be found nowhere.
No where could the lost child be found
12. I got no help from him.
No help did I get from him
13. He not only refused to help me but he also laughed at me.
Not only did he refuse to …
14. He never smokes in bed.
Never does he smoke in bed
15. She has made good progress only within two months.
only within two months has she made good progress
16. You should not travel alone under any circumstances.
under no circumstances should you travel alone
17. It is hot enough to sit outside only in Summer.
Only in summer is it hot enough to sit outside
18. It is seldom wise to say too much about oneself.
Seldom is it wise to say too much about oneself
19. He found a job nowhere after he had graduated from college.
nowhere did he find a job...
20. I know little about computer.

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 CHUYÊN ĐỀ NGỮ PHÁP : INVERSION
Little do I know about computer
Exercise 6: Rewrite the following sentences without changing
their original meanings.
1. Her grief was so great that she almost fainted.
So great was her grief that she….
2. He got down to writing the letter as soon as he returned from
his walk.
No sooner had he returned from his walk than he got …
3. She just had time to put up her umbrella before the rain came
down in torrents.
No sooner had she put up her umbrella than the rain ………..
4. If you want to save your eyesight, we must operate
immediately.
Only by operating immediately can we save your eyesight
5. She had hardly begun to speak before people started
interrupting her.
Hardly had she begun to speak when people started ……..
6. Someone rang the alarm as soon as the burglars left the
building.
No sooner had the burglars left the building than someone rang
the alarm
7. I only realised what I had missed when they told me about it
later.
Only when they told me about it later did i realise …
8. The demand was so great that they had to reprint the book
immediately.
So great was the demand that they……….
9. You won’t find a more dedicated worker anywhere than Mrs.
Jones.
Nowhere will you find a more dedicated worker than Mrs. Jones.

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 CHUYÊN ĐỀ NGỮ PHÁP : INVERSION
10. The outcome of the election was never in doubt.
At no time was the outcome of the election in doubt.
11. Tear gas was released as soon as the thieves touched the
safe.
No sooner had the thieves touched the safe than tear gas was
released.
12. I have never seen such a mess in my life.
Never in my life have I seen such a mess.
13. The only reason the party was a success was that a famous
film star attended.
Had it not been for the attendance of a famous film star , the
party wouldn’t have been successful/ a success
14. It was only when I left home that I realised how much my
father meant to me.
Not until I left home did i realize how…….
15. He never suspected that the money had been stolen.
At no time did he suspect that ….
16. There are more people out of work in this country than ever
before.
Never have there been so many people out of work in this country
17. The result of the match was never in doubt.
At no time was the result of the match in doubt
18. The only way you can become a good athlete is by training
hard every day.
Only by training hard every day can you become…
19. John didn’t celebrate until he received the offer of promotion
in writing.
Not until john received the offer of promotion in writing did he
celebrate

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 CHUYÊN ĐỀ NGỮ PHÁP : INVERSION
20. The only thing that prevented the passing of the bill was the
death of the Prime Minister.
Had it not been for the death of the Prime Minister, the bill would
have been passed
A. I stayed up late last night.
B. If you …….up late last night, you must ……….tired now.
a. Had stayed/must have been
b. Stayed/be
Exercise 7: Rewrite each sentence, beginning as shown, so that
the meaning stays the same.
1. Tony was not only late, but he had left all his books behind as
well.
Not only was Tony late but he had also left…..
2. I had no sooner gone to bed than someone rang my doorbell.
No sooner had I gone to bed than …….
3. I have seldom stayed in a worse hotel.
Seldom have I stayed in a worse hotel
4. I have never heard such nonsense!
Never have I heard such nonsense
5. I realized only then that I had lost my keys.
Only then did I realize that I had lost my keys
6. The economic situation has rarely been worse.
Rarely has the economic situation been worse.
7. The manager not once offered us an apology.
Not once did the manager offer us an apology
8. You should not send money to us by post under any
circumstances.
Under no circumstances should you send
9. I understood Hamlet only after seeing it on the stage.
Only after seeing Hamlet on the stage did I understand it

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 CHUYÊN ĐỀ NGỮ PHÁP : INVERSION
10. The embassy staff little realized that Ted was a secret agent.
Little did the embassy staff realise that Ted was a secret agent
Exercise 8: Rewrite each sentence so that it begins with the word
or words in italics.
1. The best time to buy a house is now.
Now is the best time to buy…
2. The bus came round the corner.
Round the corner came the bus
3. The price of petrol went up.
Up went the price of petrol
4. The Parthenon stands on the top of the Acropolis.
On the top of the Acropolis stands the P.
5. The wheels of the engine went round and round.
Round and round went the wheels of the engine
6. Winston Churchill lived in this house.
In this house lived Mr Winston Churchill.
7. The flag went down.
Down went the flag.
8. The best part of the story comes now.
Now comes the best part of the story.
Success story
A tall story
Exercise 9: Choose the best answer:
1…………………..the economic situation been worse.
a. Rarely has b. Has rarely c. Rarely have d. Rarely have
2. ……………….the race been won by a European athlete.
a. Never before b. Before never c. Had never d. Never had
had had before before
3. ……………….in a worse hotel.
a. Seldom I b. I seldom c. Seldom have d. Have I
have stayed have stayed I stayed seldom stayed
4. ………..that I knew all about her.
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 CHUYÊN ĐỀ NGỮ PHÁP : INVERSION
a. Little she b. Little did she c. Little did she d. Little
thought thought think thought she
5. ……………….. can we accept cheques.
a. Under no b. On no c. For no d. At no
circumstances circumstances circumstances circumstances
6. ……………was Tom aware if what was happening.
a. On no time b. At no time c. In no time d. Of no time
7. ………………can Mr. Brown be held responsible.
a. In no way b. On no way c. At no way d. Of no way
8. ………..are visitors allowed to smoke in the museum.
a. In no b. On no c. At no d. Of no
account account account account
9. ……………….intelligent………………….kind.
a. Not only she is/ but she is b. Not only she is/ but is she
also also
c. Not only is she/ but she is d. Not only is she/ but is she
also also
10. ……………..our money,………………..close to losing our lives.
a. Not only we lost/but we also b. Not only did we lose/ but did
came we also come
c. Not only we lost/ but did we d. Not only did we lose/ but we
also come also came
11. …………………..to the doctor………………………how serious her illness was.
a. Not until Ann spoke/ did she b. Not until did Ann speak/ she
understand understood
c. Not until did Ann speak/ did d. Not until Ann spoke/ she
she understand understood
12. ………………………to see the results of my work.
a. Only after a year I began b. I only after a year began
c. Only after a year did I begin d. Only after a year did I began
13. ………………………..enjoy a reasonable standard of living.
a. Only in a few countries does b. Only in a few countries do the
the whole population whole population
c. Only in a few countries the d. Only in a few countries the
whole population does whole population do
14. ……………………harder………… your final exam.

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 CHUYÊN ĐỀ NGỮ PHÁP : INVERSION
a. Only by work/ you will pass b. Only by working/you will
pass
c. Only by work/will you pass d. Only by working/ will you
pass
15. Only then…………………..that I had lost my keys.
a. I realized b. did I c. did I realize d. I did realize
realized
16. ……………………..immediately…………………save your eyesight.
a. Only if we operate/ can we b. Only if do we operate/ we
can
c. Only if do we operate/ can we d. Only if we operate/ we can
17. ……………………free time………………..watch TV.
a. Only when I have free time/ b. Only when do I have free
do I time/ do I
c. Only when do I have free d. Only when I have free time/ I
time/ I
18. ……………………….me, please tell them I will be away for a few
days.
a. If anyone ask b. Should anyone ask
c. If should anyone ask d. Anyone should ask
19. …………………special glass, advanced technology could not
operate.
a. It weren’t for b. If it isn’t for
c. Were it not for d. Weren’t it for
20. …………what was going to happen, I would never have left him
alone.
a. If I knew b. If I know c. Had I known d. If had I
known
Exercise 10: Find and correct the mistake.
1. (a) Hardly (b) had I arrived home (c) than I had a new problem
(d)to cope with.
(c) -> when
2. (a) Scarcely (b) we had started (c) lunch (d)when the doorbell
rang.
(b)-> had we
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 CHUYÊN ĐỀ NGỮ PHÁP : INVERSION
3. (a) No sooner (b) had she handed in her paper (c) than (d)did
she realize her careless mistakes.
(d)-> she realized
4. (a) Barely (b) did he go out of (c) the house when (d)his boss
telephoned.
(b)-> had he gone
5. (a) So (b) was the day hot (c) that we had to stay (d)indoors.
(b)-> hot was the day that
6. (a) Such vast (b) were the natural resources (c) that it seemed
they could never (d)be used up.
(a) -> so
7. (a) So was his (b) hunger (c) that he couldn’t go on
(d)learning.
(a)-> such
8. (a) On (b) the stairs (c) was (d)a small girl sitting.
(d)-> sitting a small girl
9. (a) Round the (b) corner (c) did come a milk-van.
(c)-> came
10. She traveled (a) a great deal, (b) as (c) do most (d)of her
friends.
(c)-> did
11. I (a) don’t (b) like him – (c) So (d)do I.
(c)-> neither
12. (a) My mother (b) is ill this week – (c) Nor (d)is my mother.
(c)-> so is my mother

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