ADDING EMPHASIS. INVERSION

w In formal English, especially in writing, we sometimes change the normal word order to make the sentence more emphatic or dramatic.

w This structure is common with negative adverbial expressions such as:.

Not only…, Never…, No sooner…than (= a formal way of saying as soon as)

  

  

When we use inversion after the above expressions, we change the order of the subject and (auxiliary) verb.

w In the present simple and past simple tense, rather than simply inverting the subject and verb we use do/ does/ did.

DO           DOES      + subject + main verb DID

  

w Inversion is also used after the expressions:

                                   

Scarcely …       when    Hardly

Only   then…            when…

Rarely…

                                                   

  NOTE: Inversion should only be used occasionally for dramatic effect. Overusing it will make your English sound unnatural.