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English grammar

Inversion after a negative opening

B2 · Upper intermediate Building the sentence Questions 10

The rule

When a negative or restrictive expression opens the sentence, English inverts the subject and the auxiliary as if it were a question. Not once did they reply. Rarely have I read anything so badly argued. No sooner had we sat down than the fire alarm went. Only after the survey did we understand the cost. This is emphasis, and it belongs in writing and in formal speech, not in every sentence. Note not only … but also inverts the first half only, and hardly … when pairs with no sooner … than.

Pattern

Never / Rarely / Seldom / Not once / At no time / Only when / No sooner / Hardly + auxiliary + subject + verb

Examples

  1. Never before had the service been suspended for a whole week.

  2. Not until the second letter did anybody take it seriously.

  3. No sooner had we paid than the price dropped.

  4. Only by writing again did we get an answer.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: Never I have seen such a mess.

    Right: Never have I seen such a mess.

    After a negative opening the auxiliary comes before the subject.

  • Wrong: No sooner we had left when it started.

    Right: No sooner had we left than it started.

    no sooner inverts and pairs with than, not when.

  • Wrong: Only when the survey came back we understood.

    Right: Only when the survey came back did we understand.

    The inversion falls on the MAIN clause, not the only when clause.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Rarely have seen I a report so badly written.
    2. Rarely have I seen a report so badly written.
    3. Rarely did I have seen a report so badly written.
    4. Rarely I have seen a report so badly written.
    Show answer

    Answer: B Rarely have I seen a report so badly written.

    Auxiliary, then subject, then main verb.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Not once they did acknowledge the complaint.
    2. Not once did they acknowledge the complaint.
    3. Not once they acknowledged the complaint.
    4. Not once acknowledged they the complaint.
    Show answer

    Answer: B Not once did they acknowledge the complaint.

    A simple tense borrows do for the inversion.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Hardly had the meeting begun than the fire alarm went.
    2. Hardly had the meeting begun when the fire alarm went.
    3. Hardly the meeting had begun when the fire alarm went.
    4. Hardly had begun the meeting when the fire alarm went.
    Show answer

    Answer: B Hardly had the meeting begun when the fire alarm went.

    hardly … when is the fixed pairing.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    At no time _____ we informed of the change.

    1. were
    2. we were
    3. was
    4. did
    Show answer

    Answer: A At no time were we informed of the change.

    A passive inverts with were.

  5. 5Fill in the gap.

    Seldom _____ a decision been reversed so quickly.

    1. did
    2. has
    3. have
    4. was
    Show answer

    Answer: B Seldom has a decision been reversed so quickly.

    A singular perfect inverts with has.

  6. 6Fill in the gap.

    Only after the audit _____ the scale of it become clear.

    1. was
    2. has
    3. had
    4. did
    Show answer

    Answer: D Only after the audit did the scale of it become clear.

    A past simple main clause borrows did.

  7. 7Fill in the gap.

    Under no circumstances _____ the door be left open.

    1. has
    2. is
    3. does
    4. should
    Show answer

    Answer: D Under no circumstances should the door be left open.

    A modal inverts directly.

  8. 8Fill in the gap.

    Not only _____ the price risen, but the service is worse.

    1. have
    2. is
    3. did
    4. has
    Show answer

    Answer: D Not only has the price risen, but the service is worse.

    not only inverts the first half.

  9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. Never will I agree to that.
    2. At no time will I agree to that.
    3. I will never agree to that.
    4. Never I will agree to that.
    Show answer

    Answer: D Never I will agree to that.

    A fronted never requires inversion.

  10. 10This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. No sooner had we arrived than the rain started.
    2. Hardly had we arrived when the rain started.
    3. No sooner had we arrived when the rain started.
    4. As soon as we arrived, the rain started.
    Show answer

    Answer: C No sooner had we arrived when the rain started.

    no sooner pairs with than.

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