BBC English Masterclass: Inversion 1: After Negative or Limiting Adverbs

Summary

This video explains the concept of inversion in English, highlighting its use for emphasis, dramatic effect, or formality. The normal sentence structure (subject-verb-object) is altered when negative or limiting adverbs, such as 'never', 'rarely', and 'hardly', are placed at the beginning of the sentence. Inversion involves switching the auxiliary verb and subject. The video explores examples, including sentences with adverbial clauses and specific adverbs like 'not', 'only', and 'hardly'. It concludes with a dramatic example using 'little did they know', which often appears in literature. Overall, this is a valuable guide to mastering inversion in English for various contexts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Inversion in English is used for emphasis, dramatic effect, or formality.
• 😀 Inversion occurs when the normal sentence order of subject, verb, and object is altered.
• 😀 Negative adverbs like 'never', 'hardly', 'no', and 'only' are commonly used to trigger inversion.
• 😀 Inversion typically involves moving the negative adverbial to the start of the sentence and inverting the auxiliary verb and subject.
• 😀 For tenses that do not use auxiliary verbs (such as present or past simple), an auxiliary verb must be added for inversion.
• 😀 Example of inversion: 'Never had I met someone so interesting.' from 'I had never met someone so interesting.'
• 😀 Inversion is required for sentences with limiting adverbs like 'rarely', 'seldom', and 'only'.
• 😀 Some adverbial phrases require a complete clause before inversion occurs, such as with 'Not until' or 'Only when'.
• 😀 'Hardly' can also trigger inversion, but it usually happens within the adverbial clause itself, particularly in past perfect tense.
• 😀 The phrase 'little did they know' is used dramatically, often in storytelling, to suggest that the characters were unaware of a key event.

Q & A

What is inversion in English grammar?

Inversion in English involves changing the normal sentence structure (subject-verb-object) for emphasis, dramatic effect, or formality.

When does inversion typically occur in a sentence?

Inversion typically occurs when a negative or limiting adverbial is placed at the beginning of the sentence, causing the auxiliary verb and subject to invert their usual positions.

Can you give an example of inversion with a negative adverbial?

'Never had I met someone so interesting.' This shows inversion after the negative adverbial 'never' is placed at the beginning.

How does inversion work with adverbs like 'rarely' or 'seldom'?

When adverbs like 'rarely' or 'seldom' are used, inversion is applied by moving the adverb to the beginning of the sentence and inverting the auxiliary verb and subject, such as 'Rarely do I go outside.'

What happens when the sentence doesn't have an auxiliary verb in the affirmative?

If the sentence doesn't have an auxiliary verb, such as with present simple or past simple tenses, an auxiliary verb is added for the inversion, like 'Seldom did she work very hard.'

How does inversion work when a clause needs to be completed first?

In such cases, inversion occurs after a whole clause has been established. For example, 'Not until I saw what had happened did I know what to do.' Here, the adverbial clause 'Not until I saw what had happened' precedes the inversion in the main clause.

What are some common adverbials that require clause completion before inversion?

Common adverbials that require clause completion before inversion include 'Not' and 'Only.' Examples are 'Not until' and 'Only then.'

How does inversion work with the adverb 'hardly'?

'Hardly' often causes inversion within the adverbial clause. It is typically used with the past perfect tense to indicate that one action finished just before another started. Example: 'Hardly had I got home than the dog started barking.'

What is the significance of the phrase 'little did they know'?

'Little did they know' is used for dramatic effect, often to indicate that someone was unaware of an important or sinister event. For example: 'Little did they know that he had stolen all of their money.'

Where is the expression 'little did they know' commonly found?

'Little did they know' is commonly found in books or narratives, often used for dramatic and suspenseful purposes.