BBC English Masterclass: Inversion 2: Reduced conditionals and more

Summary

This video explains the concept of inversion in English grammar, which is used for emphasis, formality, or dramatic effect. It covers various types of inversion, including in conditional sentences (second and third conditionals), as well as when adverbs of place or movement are placed at the beginning of a sentence. The script also explores how inversion can be used with adjectives and nouns for emphasis, as in the structures 'so + adjective + that' and 'such + noun + that'. The lesson emphasizes the importance of word order changes and provides clear examples to demonstrate how inversion enhances the meaning of sentences.

Takeaways

• 😀 Inversion in English is used for emphasis, dramatic effect, or formality, where the usual subject-verb-object order is changed.
• 😀 In second and third conditionals, inversion occurs when the 'if' is removed and the subject and auxiliary verb are inverted, e.g., 'Were I an animal, I would be a dog.'
• 😀 In first conditionals, inversion can also happen by removing 'if' and using 'should' for a more polite or tentative tone, e.g., 'Should you go into town, will you get me a cola?'
• 😀 When making negatives in these forms, the negatives are not contracted, e.g., 'Should you not go into town...'.
• 😀 Adverbs of place or movement placed at the beginning of a sentence can cause the entire verb phrase to come before the subject for dramatic effect, e.g., 'Through the window came the spy.'
• 😀 This dramatic inversion style is common in written language, especially when introducing new nouns or concepts.
• 😀 Inversion is more often used in speech with small adverbials like 'here' and 'there', such as 'There sat my father.'
• 😀 When using pronouns in inversion, the pronoun should come before the verb, e.g., 'There he sat.'
• 😀 The structure 'So + adjective + was/were + subject' can be used for dramatic emphasis, followed by 'that' to explain the consequence, e.g., 'So beautiful was she that I fell in love.'
• 😀 The same structure can be applied with 'such' and a noun, e.g., 'Such a beautiful woman was she that I fell in love immediately.'

Q & A

What is inversion in English grammar?

Inversion in English is the process of changing the typical subject-verb-object order of a sentence. It is often used for emphasis, dramatic purpose, or formality.

How is inversion used in conditional sentences?

In second and third conditionals, inversion occurs by removing the 'if' and inverting the subject and auxiliary verb. For example, 'Were I an animal, I would be a dog.'

Can inversion be used with the first conditional?

Yes, the first conditional can be inverted using 'should'. For example, 'Should you go to town, will you get me a cola?'

What makes inversion in first conditional sentences more polite?

The use of 'should' makes the first conditional more polite and tentative. For example, 'If you should go into town...' becomes 'Should you go into town...'

Are negatives in conditional inversion contracted?

No, negatives in these forms are not contracted. For example, 'Should you not go into town...' or 'Were I not a human...'

How does the position of adverbs of place affect inversion?

When an adverb of place or movement is placed at the beginning of a clause, the entire verb phrase can be inverted. This is often used for dramatic effect.

Give an example of inversion with an adverb of place.

For example, 'The spy came through the window' becomes 'Through the window came the spy.'

Is inversion with adverbs of place more common in written or spoken English?

Inversion with adverbs of place is more common in written English, especially for dramatic effect. It is also used in speech with smaller adverbials like 'here' and 'there'.

What is the structure when using 'so' for inversion?

When using 'so' for inversion, the structure is 'So + adjective + verb + subject'. For example, 'So beautiful was she that I fell in love immediately.'

How is 'such' used in inversion?

When using 'such' for inversion, the structure is 'Such + noun + verb + subject'. For example, 'Such a beautiful woman was she that I fell in love immediately.'