Inversion

We use inversion in questions. But we also sometimes use inversion in other cases, when we are not making a question.

Usually, we put the expression at the beginning of the sentence to emphasize what we're saying. It makes our sentence sound surprising or striking or unusual. It also sounds quite formal. If you don't want to give this impression, you can put the negative expression later in the sentence in the normal way:

• Seldom have I seen such beautiful work.
  ('Seldom' is at the beginning, so we use inversion. This sentence emphasizes what beautiful work it is.)
• I have seldom seen such beautiful work.
  ('Seldom' is in the normal place, so we don't use inversion. This is a normal sentence with no special emphasis.)

In the table below you can see some of the most common negative or restrictive adverbials that are sometimes used at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis.

HARDLY, BARELY, SCARCELY, NO SOONER

Hardly, when	Hardly had I come into the classroom when the gossip about me spread.
Barely, when	Barely had I got into bed when the telephone rang.
Scarcely, when	Scarcely had I got off the bus when it crashed into the back of a car.
No sooner, than	No sooner had we arrived home than the police rang the doorbell.

 

ONLY

Only now	Only now can we talk each other more honestly.
Only + any element	Only beef does this Korean restaurant serve.
Only if + clause	Only if you tell me the truth can I help you.
Only when + clause	Only when we'd all arrived home did I feel calm.
Only after + clause	Only after I'd seen her flat did I understand why she wanted to live there.
Only by + gerund	Only by working extremely hard could we afford to eat.

 

NOT

Not once	Not once did I tell you how dangerous to ride alone at night.
Not + any element	Not until I meet you again, will I give you another chance.
Not only, but also	Not only does he love chocolate and sweets but he also smokes.
Not since + clause	Not since Lucy left college had she had such a wonderful time.

 

NO

Under no circumstances	Under no circumstances should you do anything without asking me first.
In no way	In no way do I agree with what you're saying.
Nowhere	Nowhere have I ever had such bad service.
No way (informal)	No way will I forget what you have done to me.

 

NEVER, RARELY, SELDOM, LITTLE

Never	Never had she seen such a beautiful sight before.
Rarely	Rarely will you hear such beautiful music.
Seldom	Seldom do we see such an amazing display of dance.
Little	Little did he know!

 

When the negative adverbials are followed by a clause, the inversion comes in the second part of the sentence, for example:

Only if you tell me the truth can I help you.
Only when we'd all arrived home did I feel calm.