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Inversion Structures

1) The document discusses various inversion structures in English including negative adverbial expressions like seldom, rarely, never that require an auxiliary verb before the main verb. It also discusses expressions like hardly, scarcely, no sooner that are used to talk about one event happening after another. 2) It mentions expressions like where and over the hill at the beginning of sentences for dramatic effect, and conditionals using if/were/had to replace if in different tenses. 3) Finally, it notes that only, no, little at the beginning of sentences make them more formal or emphatic.

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201 views2 pages

Inversion Structures

1) The document discusses various inversion structures in English including negative adverbial expressions like seldom, rarely, never that require an auxiliary verb before the main verb. It also discusses expressions like hardly, scarcely, no sooner that are used to talk about one event happening after another. 2) It mentions expressions like where and over the hill at the beginning of sentences for dramatic effect, and conditionals using if/were/had to replace if in different tenses. 3) Finally, it notes that only, no, little at the beginning of sentences make them more formal or emphatic.

Uploaded by

phongdang
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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INVERSION STRUCTURES 1 ) Negative adverbial expressions: a) seldom,rarely,never, hardly,scarcely,no sooner,only They need an auxiliary before the main verb.

Examples: -Seldom did we eat in such expensive restaurants. -Never have I seen a bigger pair of idiots. -Rarely have I felt so ridiculous. b) Hardly/Scarcely + WHEN No Sooner + THAN These are used at the beginning of a sentence to talk about one thing happening after another. Examples: -Hardly had I started work when the new boss arrived. -Scarcely had I put down the receiver when the phone rang again. -No sooner had she had her first baby than the second was due. 2 ) Dramatic effect: a) Adverbial expressions at the beginning of a sentence. -Where the money goes, I dont know. -Over the hill passed those black clouds. b) AS -He was hooked on cocaine as were most of his friends. 3 ) Conditionals: a) In open conditionals, IF can be substituted by SHOULD. -Should you come to London, you must visit me. b) In hypothetical conditionals in present WERE can replace IF. -Were I given such a lot of money, I wouldnt know what to do with it. c ) In past hypothetical conditionals HAD can replace IF. -Had I known you were coming, I would have cooked something better.

4 ) ONLY / NO / LITTLE At the beginning of the sentence, they make it more formal and/or emphatic. -Little did they know that alcohol could have such an effect. -Only after eating up the food did he say a word. -On no account would I lend him any money. 5 ) EXCLAMATIONS Very often in the negative form. -Isnt she stupid! -Am I angry!

Underline inversion structures in this letter: Dear sirs, I wish to point out my dissatisfaction to those concerned with the marketing, distribution and quality control of your wine. Had I purchased a carton of Don Simon, I would not find myself writing this letter now. Only after trying to drink your wine did I regret my choice. Life offers a number of pleasures, your wine has counted among them until recently. Under no circumstances would I now consider purchasing your product again. After opening the first bottle, which tasted like vinegar, I was somewhat disappointed. However, seldom have I felt so cheated as when I found that the whole case, of twelve, tasted the same. When one considers that a bottle of your wine is 50 euros, I think, never in the history of mankind could vinegar have cost so much. Not only do I feel disappointed but I also have the sensation of having been robbed. Should it be the norm that your wine tastes as previously mentioned, I care for no compensation. However, should this not be the case, I would like to demand some recompense not only for my capital outlay but also for the severe disappointment I received. Yours faithfully.

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