Questions tagged [subject-verb-inversion]
Questions about reversing the order of a clause’s subject and verb, including subject–auxiliary inversion in questions and normal subject–verb swap in locative, directive, copular, and quotative inversions.
23
questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
2
votes
0
answers
43
views
How do multiple modal constructions work with ellipsis or inversion?
I have been researching on multiple modal constructions, which is a dialect mainly used in
The Southern United States. Unlike Standard English, this dialect allows more than one modal auxiliary per ...
2
votes
1
answer
135
views
Does an inverted protasis mean just plain “if”, or does it mean “even if”?
When the first part of a conditional’s if-clause is inverted and the if consequently dropped, is the missing if just a plain old “simple if”, or is it more of an “even if”? For example, in this ...
1
vote
0
answers
90
views
Nor + inversion or no inversion?
My teacher showed me these examples at the lesson about conjunctions:
a) She does not eat meat, nor does she drink milk.
b) My grandfather could neither read nor write, but he was a very wise person.
...
1
vote
0
answers
76
views
Negatives and Interrogatives with and without subject-verb inversion: "Didn't you have a lecture today?" vs "You didn't have a lecture today?"
"Didn't you have a lecture today?" vs "You didn't have a lecture today?"
Regarding the aforementioned clauses, from "experience", I can surmise different, subtle nuances. ...
1
vote
0
answers
36
views
'Did/does' at head of subordinate phrase
He does have a sense of humour does Mr Marr.
Nigel Williams, 1992
Is this double use of do just doubly emphatic?
Secondly, why can't do be used similarly, for example with a plural proper noun?
1
vote
0
answers
110
views
How to understand the grammar of "strength were granted me"?
I find the following sentence from a translation of Proust's In search of lost time:
But at least, if strength were granted me for long enough to accomplish my
work, ...
I want to understand it ...
1
vote
0
answers
36
views
Subject-verb inversion when subject isn't clear
I just felt like writing the following sentence:
n^k distinct configurations has a 2dfa(k).
It's natural formulation would be "a 2dfa(k) has n^k distinct configurations", but its after 2AM,...
1
vote
0
answers
142
views
Inverted sentence + parallel structure
"Only through accurately understanding our feelings can we learn to free ourselves from negative emotions, which provides more creative energy, as well as the opportunity for limitless personal growth,...
1
vote
0
answers
516
views
Is the sentence, "What I can tell you is that, hidden within the question, lies the answer," correct?
Here's the sentence: "What I can tell you is that, hidden within the question, lies the answer." It makes sense, but I don't really know it's it right.
I figured that the "hidden within the question, ...
1
vote
0
answers
494
views
Inversion when using "not only ~ but also."
Is the following sentence correct?
Not only can the coverage be easily increased, but the topology can also be more robust.
1
vote
0
answers
111
views
so ~ that ~ structure vs. inversion of sentence
My colleagues (who are teachers) are divided about the exact structure and meaning of the bolded sentence in the following sentence:
Improvements in diet, hygiene and medical science have led to ...
1
vote
0
answers
94
views
Inversion with two clauses?
a) Only after I had explained everything, did he stop blaming and did she stop crying.
b) Only after I had explained everything, did he stop blaming and she stop crying.
c) Only after I had explained ...
1
vote
1
answer
63
views
Unsure if my inverse order compound sentence makes is correct
I am working on a college essay and I have one sentence that may have a grammar issue.
I was successful in my goals for the program, but even more so was the program successful in its goals for ...
1
vote
1
answer
145
views
Can I make an inverted sentence from the following original one?
Here is the original sentence: So, I decided to walk only at night until I was far from the town.
A teacher said this sentence can be changed into the following one : Only at night, did I dicide to ...
0
votes
0
answers
201
views
How we can omit the subjects in "not only but also" structure?
When we can omit the subject (or sometimes the verb) in the second part of "not only... but also" structure?
I have seen some examples:
Not only is he handsome but also intelligent
Not only ...
0
votes
0
answers
93
views
Color and inverted sentence?
One of my colleagues asked me the other day why can we say both the following?
Red is my favorite color.
My favorite color is red.
Yet, we cannot say
Red is his house.
when his house is red.
What ...
0
votes
0
answers
51
views
Why we need inversion when a clause starts with a negative adverb?
Why is inversion needed when a clause starts with a negtive adverb? When a clause starts with neither, nor, never, we need inversion.
Examples
Never will you go to school.
Nor will I do that.
...
0
votes
0
answers
141
views
Negative Inversions
I am familiar with inversions, but I'm not sure about the following inversions.
Would anyone say the ones in bold - or start a sentence that way?
Not entirely am I not convinced…
Not entirely am I ...
0
votes
0
answers
92
views
Inversion with of?
Could the prepositional verb "of" be used with inversion?
As so:
" Of the apple there was nothing left, for the worm had found it's way inside and it could only be thrown away."
Is the emboldened ...
0
votes
1
answer
187
views
See? How fun this game is!
I'm not a native speaker, and I need help with the proper usage of exclamatives in some contexts.
[Context1: John is playing a video game alone, and is enjoying it. He utters:]
1. How fun this game ...
-1
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Transformation of sentence beginning with As soon as into sentence beginning with Hardly.....when
Consider this sentence:
As soon as we reached the station, the train left.
Now if I transform this into a sentence beginning with Hardly, then which of the following sentences is correct and why?
...
-1
votes
1
answer
166
views
Is this a correct way to use hyperbaton?
Soon this man found himself in the clutches of an evil witch. Mean, full of hatred hell-bent she was on finding and killing him no matter the cost.
Does the latter part of the sentence above make ...
-2
votes
1
answer
255
views
Is it always possible to inverse the subject and the verb?
I am wondering whether we can invert the subject and the verb in english.
Ex (illustrative only):
A car is provided to the players. The keys must be retrieved at
the office.
would become
Is ...