Inversion occurs in several different structures. Can you use them correctly? Take a moment to do this exercise.
1I wondered what time ............... starting.
Wrong!
In an indirect question, use normal subject-verb order: "the show was".
2She asked me what ............... thinking about.
Wrong!
In an indirect question, use normal subject-verb order: "I was".
3I wondered who ...............
Wrong!
After subject question word "who", use the verb phrase directly: "had left the door open".
4What a lovely place ...............!
Wrong!
In a "what" exclamation, use normal subject-verb order: "Shimla is".
5How beautiful ...............!
Wrong!
In a "how" exclamation, use normal subject-verb order: "the flowers are".
6At no time ............... aware of what was happening.
Wrong!
After negative fronting with "At no time", use inversion: "was he".
7Hardly ............... arrived when trouble started.
Wrong!
After "Hardly", use inversion before the past participle: "had he".
8Never ............... seen such a mess.
Wrong!
After "Never", use inversion: "have I".
9Little ............... what she was doing.
Wrong!
After negative fronting with "Little", use inversion: "did she realize".
10Only then ............... what I had done.
Wrong!
After fronted "Only then", use inversion: "did I understand".
11Not only ............... our money, but we were nearly kidnapped.
Wrong!
After fronted "Not only", use inversion: "did we lose".
12What a lovely morning ...............!
Wrong!
In a "what" exclamation, use normal subject-verb order: "it is".
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- I wondered what time the show was starting.
- She asked me what I was thinking about.
- I wondered who had left the door open.
- What a lovely place Shimla is!
- How beautiful the flowers are!
- At no time was he aware of what was happening.
- Hardly had he arrived when trouble started.
- Never have I seen such a mess.
- Little did she realize what she was doing.
- Only then did I understand what I had done.
- Not only did we lose our money, but we were nearly kidnapped.
- What a lovely morning it is!