Inversion occurs in several different structures. Can you use them correctly? Take a moment to do this exercise.
1. I wondered what time …………………… starting.
In indirect questions, the auxiliary verb goes after the subject.
2. She asked me what ……………………….. thinking about.
In indirect questions, the auxiliary verb goes after the subject.
3. I wondered who ………………………
In indirect questions, the auxiliary verb goes after the subject.
4.What a lovely place ………………………….!
The auxiliary verb usually goes after the subject in exclamations with how and what.
5. How beautiful ………………………..!
The auxiliary verb usually goes after the subject in exclamations with how and what.
6. At no time ………………………….. aware of what was happening.
If a negative expression comes at the beginning of a clause, it is usually followed by auxiliary verb + subject.
7. Hardly ……………………… arrived when trouble started.
Inversion is common after words like hardly, seldom, rarely, little or never.
8. Never ……………………….. seen such a mess.
Inversion is common after words like hardly, seldom, rarely, little or never.
9. Little ……………………….. what she was doing
Inversion is common after words like hardly, seldom, rarely, little or never.
10. Only then ………………………… what I had done.
When only comes at the beginning of the sentence, it is followed by an inverted word order.
11. Not only ………………………. our money, but we were nearly kidnapped.
When not only comes at the beginning of the sentence, it is followed by an inverted word order.
12. What a lovely morning ……………………….!
The auxiliary verb usually goes after the subject in exclamations with how and what.
Answers
1. I wondered what time the show was starting.
2. She asked me what I was thinking about.
3. I wondered who had left the door open.
4. What a lovely place Shimla is!
5. How beautiful the flowers are!
6. At no time was he aware of what was happening.
7. Hardly had he arrived when trouble started.
8. Never have I seen such a mess.
9. Little did she realize what she was doing.
10. Only then did I understand what I had done.
11. Not only did we lose our money, but we were nearly kidnapped.
12. What a lovely morning it is!
