Inversion
As described in Basic Word
Order in the section Grammar, standard word order in declarative sentences is
first the subject, then the verb. For
example:
Lena went to the park
yesterday.
I am reading a book now.
Changing standard word order
is called "inversion" (inverted word order; inverse word order).
Inversion in English usually refers to placing the auxiliary, modal, or main
verb before the subject. Inversion is used with a certain aim, often for
emphasis. For example:
Never before have I seen such
beauty.
There can be another problem.
As inversion is rather
emphatic, it is advisable for language learners to avoid using most of the
inverted constructions described below. It is necessary to understand
inversion, but it is better to use standard word order in your own speech and
writing.
Cases of inversion that you
really need to use in your speech include questions, the construction
"there is, there are", sentences beginning with "here" or
"there", and responses like "So do I; Neither do I". Examples
of other inverted constructions are given here in two variants for comparison
of inverted and standard word order.
The most common type of
inversion in English consists in moving the auxiliary verb into the position
before the subject. This type of inversion is most frequently used in
questions. For example:
Did Lena go to the park
yesterday?
What are you doing now?
Construction
"there is, there are"
Inversion is required in the
construction "there is, there are" and in cases where a modal verb or
a main verb is used in such constructions.
There is an interesting
article about Spain in today's paper.
There are several books on the
table.
Inversion
after "here" and "there"
Inversion takes place in
sentences beginning with the adverb "here" or "there". Some
phrases beginning with "here" or "there" have idiomatic
character.
Here is the book you asked
for.
Here comes
the sun.
If the subject of the sentence
beginning with "here" or "there" is expressed by a personal
pronoun, the verb is placed after the subject.
Here it is. Here you are. Here you go.
There you are. There you go.
Here he comes. There he goes.
Constructions
with "so" and "neither"
Inversion
is required in responses like "So do I" and "Neither do I".
I like coffee. – So do I.
I don't like coffee. – Neither
do I.
Inversion
is also required in compound sentences with such constructions.
I like coffee, and so does
Ella.
I don't like coffee, and
neither does Ella.
Conditional
sentences
Inversion is required in the
subordinate clause of conditional sentences in which the subordinating
conjunction "if" is omitted. If the conjunction "if" is
used, inversion is not used. Compare these conditional sentences in which
inverted word order and standard word order are used.
Should my son call, ask him to
wait for me at home. – If my son should call, ask him to wait for me at home.
If my son calls, ask him to wait for me at home.
Were I not so tired, I would
go there with you. – If I weren't so tired, I would go there with you.
Had I known it, I would have
helped him. – If I had known it, I would have helped him.
Inversion
after direct speech
Inversion takes place in
constructions with verbs like "said, asked, replied" placed after
direct speech.
"I'll help you,"
said Anton.
"What's the
problem?" asked the driver.
But if the subject of such
constructions is expressed by a personal pronoun, the verb is placed after the
subject.
"Thank you for your
help," she said.
"Don't mention it,"
he answered.
If verbs like "said,
asked, replied" stand before direct speech, inversion is not used: Nina
said, "Let's go home."
