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Subject-verb inversions - English lesson
In test we have studied the 'trappings" of Word Order, I mean the constructions where the French language demands a subject-verb inversion, but where the English language doesn't.
On the contrary, in this lesson, we'll tackle real difficulties: the moments when the verb 'surprisingly' precedes the subject, unexpectedly for French people... because a subject-verb inversion was not 'natural' in those sentences.
1) There must be a SUBJECT-VERB INVERSION after a NEGATIVE EXPRESSION:
Putting the negation at the beginning of the sentence (or 'clause' ) comes to stressing this negation. It reinforces a persuasive effect, making it more impressive, emphatic, (frequently used in political speeches). To do that, place the negation at the beginning of the sentence and change the verb-subject order. You may have to add an auxiliary.
AT NO TIME/ NOT ONLY / NO SOONER / NEVER/ SELDOM/ RARELY/ UNDER NO
CIRCUMSTANCES/ ON NO ACCOUNT/ AT NO TIME/ ON NO CONDITION/ NOT UNTIL/...
- No sooner had he spoken than/ when they recognised his British accent.
- Not only was she late, but she was also noisy when she arrived.
( In less formal English, the sentence would be:
She was not only late, but she was also noisy when she arrived.)
If is is often quite easy to recognise and invert subject and verb in negative expressions, it's much easier to miss other ones: semi-negatives [ also called
'near-negatives' or 'broad negatives'] They are: Hardly, barely, scarcely,
(meaning 'only just/ almost not/ with little likelihood'). They refer to a past event quickly following another one. They are often used with a 'past perfect'.
[past perfect: had + past participle]
- Scarcely had the votes been counted, when the new president delivered a speech.
the expressions: 'hardly ever', hardly anyone, hardly anything. They are negative 'in themselves' and must never be used with a 'second' one!
2) There must also be A SUBJECT-VERB INVERSION to express a SUPPOSITION, in formal English, then omitting IF in:
- HAD: HAD I KNOWN... (If I had known... )
- SHOULD: SHOULD you meet my uncle... (if you should meet my uncle...)
- WERE: WERE he the richest man... (If he were the richest man...)
(Be careful! the verb to be is then: 'WERE' an unreal subjonctive all along (even 3rd pers. sing.)
- Had I understood what he meant, I'd have done it.
- Were she rich enough, she'd travel around the world.
If she were rich enough, she'd travel around the world...(less formal)
3) A SUBJECT-VERB INVERSION is also necessary after ONLY.
- Only after two tries did he lift the heavy box!
I agree with you! It may be a little tricky sometimes...
The subject-verb inversions are often heard in conversations, but their accumulation must be avoided to prevent the awkwardness of a text... 
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