01.09.2018
Inversion structures are usually quite formal. We use them more in written texts such as narratives and in formal speech such as presentations.
Negative or restrictive adverbials
NONE Not a penny would they give to charity. Not one bite did he eat. Not a single person did they meet that day. |
TOO MUCH / NOT ENOUGH Too often do we see people struggling to make ends meet. Too long have we waited for a change. |
NEVER / NOT ANY MORE At no time did we think the project would fail. Never (before) have I felt so angry. No longer can we ignore the problem. Not in a thousand years will I go back there again. Not once did they offer any help. Never (again) will we attempt to intervene. |
IMMEDIATELY / ONLY JUST No sooner had one game finished than another was begun. Barely had we got over the flu angry when we were struck down with a stomach bug. Hardly had the policy been announced when the government came up with a new and better idea. Scarcely had we had time to meet the villagers when we were hustled back onto the bus. |
ONLY AFTER / AT A CERTAIN TIME Not until his return did we appreciate how much we had missed him. Only when the music stopped did people start to go home. Only then did people start to go home. |
IMPOSSIBLE / PROHIBITED Under no circumstances should you buy products from companies which exploit workers. On no account can drinks be taken outside. No way can I forget what I saw there. (informal) |
ONE PLACE / TIME / PERSON ETC. Only in the capital did we feel truly welcome. Only in the summer was it possible to open the windows. |
UNUSUAL Rarely do you find someone like that. Seldom do we stop to think about people in poorer countries. |
ADDITION Not only is she young, she's inexperienced. |
UNEXPECTED Little did she know that trouble was coming. |