alpha Lernen - Englisch

Sentences & syntax Inversion

Stand: 25.10.2016

Inversion means putting the verb before the subject. It is used to create special emphasis or effect. The sentence sounds more unusual and sometimes quite formal.

Never have I seen so many beautiful dresses.

Common forms of inversion start with expressions like never, no way, not until, not only or rarely. After the introductory expression you use the sentence structure of an indirect question.

No way would I wear this!

Never ...
No way ...
(Not) until ...
(Not) only ...
Rarely ...

Neither and nor with an inversion is used to combine two statements:

Neither are the records in any special order, nor are they sorted into categories.