INVERSION

by Peri Kazibekova
 What is inversion?
Inversion is when we change(reverse) the normal word order in a sentence or a phrase

Young generation rarely visit relatives these days.

Rarely does young generation visit relatives these days.

Inversion is used to put more emphasis on one part of a sentence or phrase.

Hardly ever/ rarely/scarcely/seldom/never

We seldom see people these days who do not use technology.

Seldom do we see people these days who do not use technology.

People hardly ever know their neighbors today , especially in big cities.
Hardly ever do people know their neighbors today , especially in big cities.

Mankind has never been so close to the extinction.

Never has mankind been so close to the extinction.
 Try!
Hardly ever/ rarely/scarcely/seldom/never

There has never been so much information available online.

In the past, we seldom saw urban art in the museums or auction houses.

Despite the progress made in the field of gender equality, we hardly ever see women
occupying important political positions in many countries.

Parents rarely care about relationships of their child and his peers.
 Check!

Never has there been so much information available online.

In the past, seldom did we see urban art in the museums or auction houses.

Despite the progress made in the field of gender equality, hardly ever do we see women
occupying important political positions in many countries.

Rarely do parents care about relationships of their child and his peers.
Under no circumstances…

Government should not use capital punishment under any circumstances.

Under no circumstances should government use capital punishment.

At no time...

Customers should not be mistreated at all.

At no time should customers be mistreated .

On no condition…

The company does not bear responsibility for lost property on any condition.
On no condition does the company bear responsibility for lost property.
TRY!

Under no circumstances… /At no time… / On no condition…

Clients cannot be disrespected under any circumstances.

The world has not seen such a huge demand for plastic at any time before.
Teachers can never replace parents.
CHECK!

Under no circumstances can clients be disrespected .

At no time before has the world seen such a huge demand for plastic .
On no condition can teachers replace parents.
 Mankind has done little to protect the wildlife.
Little
Little has been done to protect the wildlife.

Humans did not learn much from previous experience.

Little did humans learn from previous experience.

Doctors know little about cognitive processes of brain. (essay)

Little do doctors know about cognitive processes of brain.
Only when/later/after/by/if/then/in this way/…

You can realize how limited your time is only when you lose your beloved people .
Only when you lose your beloved people can you realize how limited your time is.

I noticed the crack on the screen only after I opened the box. (a complaint letter)
Only after I opened the box did I notice the crack on the screen.

Humans realize how important animals had been for the environment (only) later.
Only later did humans realize how important animals had been for the environment.
Try! Little/only when/later/after/by/if/then/in this way/…

We have done little to bridge the growing gap between the poor and the rich.
We can expect the public to move from private to public transit only after providing a
comfortable, affordable and efficient public transportation.
This issue can be resolved only by international collaboration.
We can maximize road safety only in this way.
Check!

Little has been done to bridge the growing gap between the poor and the rich.
Only after providing a comfortable, affordable and efficient public transportation can we
expect the public to move from private to public transit.
Only by international collaboration can this issue be resolved .
Only in this way can we maximize road safety .
I couldn’t find a single restaurant in that area!(informal letter)
Not a single restaurant could I find in that area! Not+object

Hybrid cars run cleaner than gasoline and also have better gas mileage.
Not only do hybrids run cleaner than gasoline, but they also have better gas mileage. Not only… but also..

To reduce gasoline consumption, the government must cut subsidies.

People should also attempt to avoid unnecessary journeys.
To reduce gasoline consumption, not only must the government cut subsidies, Not only...
people should also attempt to avoid unnecessary journeys.
 Try!
Not/Not only...but also/Not only

I could not find a single cup in the room!

The steak was overcooked. The knife was dull.
Schools in this area have the best teaching staff. There are so many indoor and outdoor sports
facilities within the walking distance.
I did not get a simple thank you.
Employers should not have unrealistic expectations from their staff. Employees must be
offered the option of working remotely.
 Check!
Not/Not only...but also/Not only

Not a single cup could I find in the room!

Not only was the steak overcooked,but also the knife was dull.
Not only do schools have the best teaching stuff in this area ,but also there are so many
indoor and outdoor sports facilities within the walking distance.
Not a simple thank you did I get.
Not only should employers have unrealistic expectations from their staff ,but also employees
must be offered the option of working remotely.
 CONDITIONALS
Zero and First
should
conditionals
If people need information , they find it immediately on the Internet.
Should people need information , they find it immediately online.
If you change your mind about going to the meeting , I will escort you.
Should you change your mind about to the meeting , I will escort you.

Second conditional

If I were in your shoes, I’d stay at a hostel.

Were I in your shoes, I’d stay at a hostel.
If you were to marry her , your friends would not come.
Were you to marry her,your friends would not come.
 Third conditional

If vaccines against many infectious diseases had not been produced, millions of innocent
people would have lost their lives.
Had vaccines against many infectious diseases not been produced, millions of innocent
people would have lost their lives.

If I had read your report earlier , I would have replied earlier.

Had I read your report earlier , I would have replied earlier.
Try!

If I were you, I’d definitely postpone my trip.

If you had factchecked before publishing the article, this mistake could have been avoided.

If there were limitations and regulations about littering posted around the lake, this much
rubbish would not have been accumulated.

If I had been informed of the contents and the workload of the course, I would have opted for
the part-time option.
Check!

Were I you, I’d definitely postpone my trip.

Had you factchecked before publishing the article, this mistake could have been avoided.

Were there limitations and regulations about littering posted around the lake, this much
rubbish would not have been accumulated.

Had I been informed of the contents and the workload of the course, I would have opted for the
part-time option.
 Examples from writings...

...Some people fear that globalization will inevitably lead to the total loss of cultural identity.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

...I am convinced that not only will globalization help retain and improve local cultures,but
also it will strengthen cultural bonds between nations.

What can be done to prevent global warming?

Not only do young people have to take global warming more seriously, but also be more active
about it.
Only by stopping burning fossil fuels, can we finally begin to stop global warming.
Thank you!