Subject-Verb Inversion

The normal English order of subject-verb-completer is disturbed only occasionally but under several circumstances. __________ lists about ten situations in which the subject will come after the verb. The most important of these are as follows (subjects in blue):

1. In questions (routinely): "Have you eaten breakfast yet?" "Are you ready?"
2. In expletive constructions: "There were four basic causes of the Civil War." "Here is the book."
3. In attributing speech (occasionally, but optionally): "'Help me!' cried Farmer Brown."
4. To give prominence or focus to a particular word or phrase by putting the predicate in the initial position: "Even more important is the chapter dealing with ordnance."
5. When a sentence begins with an adverb or an adverbial phrase or clause: "Seldom has so much been owed by so many to so few."
6. In negative constructions: "I don't believe a word she says, nor does my brother. Come to think of it, neither does her father."
7. After so: "I believe her; so does my brother."
8. For emphasis and literary effect: "Into the jaws of Death, / Into the mouth of Hell / Rode the six hundred."**

There are other uses of inversion, but most of those result in a strained or literary effect.

There are at least eighteen types of inversion:

1. neg intro

2. intro adverbial (in, down, prepositional phrase)

3. intro -ed

4. comparative

5. intro comparative

6. as

7. so... that...

8. had, should, were

9. there is

10. here is

11. intro -ing

12. emphasis

13. the bigger, the better

14. questions

15. "story speech"

16. nor

17. so do I/neither do I

18. intro adjective

Type	Examples	Notes
1. neg intro	Never do I sleep. Only at night can I study. In no way could I help you with your __________(American) grammar question. I believe that only rarely will I need your help. Not until I got home did I realize that my shoes were untied.	Question form is obligatory. Used with all verbs. This one is very common on the _____ and somewhat common on the _____ and _____. We need to learn the various types of words and phrases that require this type of inversion. Notice that sometimes the inversion occurs right after the neg intro form and sometimes it occurs in the next subject and verb. See Neg Intro for more info.
2. intro adverbial	Into the room ran the lady. First comes love, then comes _________. After A comes B, then comes C, next comes D. Down came the rain and washed the spider out.	Inversion is optional. Used with be-verbs, linking verbs, and verbs of direction. This one is less common on the _____, but more common on the ______ and _____. Notice that sometimes we have an adverb, like first and down and sometimes we have an adverb phrase like into the room or after A. These adverbs and adverb phrases usually show location or direction. This type of inversion usually only occurs with be-verbs, linking verbs and verbs that show direction or movement, like come, go, run, etc.
3. intro –ed	Found in San Francisco is Lombard Street, the so-called crookedest street in the world. Lost among the old tables and chairs was the priceless Victorian desk. Located between San Francisco and Marin County is the Golden Gate Bridge.	Inversion is obligatory. Used with be-verbs. This one is very common on the _____, _____, and _____. This type of inversion usually occurs with be-verbs, but sometimes with linking verbs. Notice that the phrase is the complement of the be-verb.
4. comparatives	Cheetahs run faster than do antelopes. You speak Chinese better than do I. Jessica is more interested in Computer Science than is Benjamin.	Inversion is optional. Used with all verbs. This form of inversion is common on the _____, _____, and _____. We normally only have inversion here if we are comparing subjects of the verb, not objects. For example, in the following two sentences, we are comparing objects, carrots and potatoes, not the subject I.: J I like carrots more than I do potatoes. J L I like carrots more than do I like potatoes. L Now, in this sentence, we are comparing subjects, I and my friend Carl: J I like carrots more than does my friend Carl. J
5. intro comparative	Bigger than an apatosaur is the blue whale. More important than your personal statement is your _____. No less impressive than the invention of the laser was the development of the wheel.	Inversion is obligatory. Used with be-verbs. This form is more common on the _____ and _____ than it is on the _____. Notice that we can only use this form of inversion when the verb is a be-verb since in every case, the comparative is the complement of the be-verb. Remember that less than is also a comparative.
6. as	Megumi is from Japan, as is Sato. So-eun wants to leave early today, as does Oi. If thrown into the water, camels can swim, as can cats.	Inversion is obligatory. Used with all verbs. We can only use inversion if we are using as for comparisons. as is one of the trickiest words in English; it can have many different meanings.
7. so… that…	So happy was I that I bought flowers for everybody in class. So quickly did she leave that we did not even realize was gone. So rarely does a comet appear visible to the naked eye that when one does, it is considered a major event.	Question form is obligatory. Used with all verbs. This is not so common on the TOEFL, but is fairly common on the _____ and _____. The so… that… clause must before the verb in for this type of inversion.
8. had, should, were for if-clauses	Had I remembered Tomomi's birthday, she wouldn’t be mad at me now. Note that the word if does NOT appear in the clause when inversion is used: Had I remembered = If I had remembered Should you need a hand, I will be more than happy to help you. Should you need a hand = If you should need a hand Were I you, I think I would study more for your exam tomorrow. Were I you = If I were you	Inversion is obligatory. Used with all verbs. This is somewhat common on the _____ and more common on the _____ and _____. This type of inversion is kind of special. Notice that we can only use this type of inversion when we are using an if-clause. In other words, if is omitted: even though the word if does not appear in the clause, we still have the meaning of an if-clause. For more information, see had, should, were.
9. there is, there are, there exists, there comes, etc.	There is a good restaurant nearby. There comes a time in every person’s life when she realizes that she is responsible for her own happiness, not other people. Scientists hypothesize that there exists a certain type of particle that can travel faster than the speed of light.	Inversion is obligatory. Usually used only with these verbs. This form of inversion is common on the _____, _____, and _____, as well as in spoken and written English. Most people remember there is and there are. BUT we must also remember that there are other verbs that we can use instead of is and are. The most common ones are exist, come, and go.
10. here is, here are, here comes, here come	Here is some good food for you to try. Here are the books that I don’t need anymore. Here comes the bus!	Inversion is obligatory. Usually used only with these verbs. You will probably not see this on the grammar section of the _____ or on the _____ or _____. It could, however, appear on the Listening Comprehension Section of the _____. We use this form mostly in spoken English.
11. intro -ing	Burning out of control was the forest located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Coming in last in the race was Joe "Elephant Legs" Blow. Not helping the situation was little Susie, who was throwing newspaper on the spreading fire.	Inversion is obligatory. Used only with be-verbs. This form is not common on the _____, but might show up on the _____ or ______. Notice the intro –ing phrase is the complement of the be-verb.
12. emphasis	Boy am I hungry. Is it ever hot in here! Do you know how to cook!	Inversion is optional. Used with all verbs. You will probably not see this on the grammar section of the _____ or on the _____ or _____. It could, however, appear on the Listening Comprehension Section of the _____. We use this form mostly in spoken English.
13. the bigger, the better	The closer an object is to another object, the greater is the gravity between the two objects.	Question form is optional. Used with all verbs.
14. questions	Is this the last example? Do you enjoy reading these lists? Are we finished yet?	Inversion is obligatory. Used with all verbs. You will probably not see this on the grammar section of the _____ (_____ doesn't test questions anymore) or on the _____ or _____. It would, however, appear on the Listening Comprehension Section of the ______.
15. "story speech"	“I think it’s time to go,” said Susan. “It’s time for you, but not for me,” replied Gary. “Maybe we should collect our thoughts for a moment,” commented Lany.	Inversion is optional. Used with verbs that report speech. You will probably not see this on the grammar section of the _____ or on the _____ or _____.
16. nor	No one has volunteered for the job, nor do we expect anyone to volunteer in the future. Hok-ming cannot speak Portuguese, nor can José speak Cantonese. The zoo regulations will not permit you to touch the animals, nor would most people advise you to do so.	Inversion is obligatory. Used with all verbs. You might see this on the adaptive _____ if you are scoring high and it could appear on the _____ or _____. Remember that nor is considered a conjunction, but we use it between two sentences (not between any two elements like the other conjunctions).
17. "so do I"/ "neither do I."	“So do I.” “So can Terry.” “Neither do most people I know.”	Inversion is obligatory. Used with all verbs. You will probably not see this on the grammar section of the ______ or on the _____ or _____.
18. intro adjective	Beautiful beyond belief was my baby daughter. Happy about their acceptance into their dream schools were Lany and Tomo. Quick and painless will be your medical procedure.	Inversion is obligatory in most cases. Used with be-verbs. This one is fairly rare and probably would not appear on the _____, but you might see it on the _____ or _____. Inversion is sometimes not used in poetic language.

Type

Examples

Notes

1. neg intro

Never do I sleep.

Only at night can I study.

In no way could I help you with your __________(American) grammar question.

I believe that only rarely will I need your help.

Not until I got home did I realize that my shoes were untied.

Question form is obligatory.

Used with all verbs.

This one is very common on the _____ and somewhat common on the _____ and _____.

We need to learn the various types of words and phrases that require this type of inversion.

Notice that sometimes the inversion occurs right after the neg intro form and sometimes it occurs in the next subject and verb.

See Neg Intro for more info.

2. intro adverbial

Into the room ran the lady.

First comes love, then comes _________.

After A comes B, then comes C, next comes D.

Down came the rain and washed the spider out.

Inversion is optional.

Used with be-verbs, linking verbs, and verbs of direction.

This one is less common on the _____, but more common on the ______ and _____.

Notice that sometimes we have an adverb, like first and down and sometimes we have an adverb phrase like into the room or after A. These adverbs and adverb phrases usually show location or direction.

This type of inversion usually only occurs with be-verbs, linking verbs and verbs that show direction or movement, like come, go, run, etc.

3. intro –ed

Found in San Francisco is Lombard Street, the so-called crookedest street in the world.

Lost among the old tables and chairs was the priceless Victorian desk.

Located between San Francisco and Marin County is the Golden Gate Bridge.

Inversion is obligatory.

Used with be-verbs.

This one is very common on the _____, _____, and _____.

This type of inversion usually occurs with be-verbs, but sometimes with linking verbs.

Notice that the phrase is the complement of the be-verb.

4. comparatives

Cheetahs run faster than do antelopes.

You speak Chinese better than do I.

Jessica is more interested in Computer Science than is Benjamin.

Inversion is optional.

Used with all verbs.

This form of inversion is common on the _____, _____, and _____.

We normally only have inversion here if we are comparing subjects of the verb, not objects. For example, in the following two sentences, we are comparing objects, carrots and potatoes, not the subject I.:

J I like carrots more than I do potatoes. J

L I like carrots more than do I like potatoes. L

Now, in this sentence, we are comparing subjects, I and my friend Carl:

J I like carrots more than does my friend Carl. J

5. intro comparative

Bigger than an apatosaur is the blue whale.

More important than your personal statement is your _____.

No less impressive than the invention of the laser was the development of the wheel.

Inversion is obligatory.

Used with be-verbs.

This form is more common on the _____ and _____ than it is on the _____.

Notice that we can only use this form of inversion when the verb is a be-verb since in every case, the comparative is the complement of the be-verb.

Remember that less than is also a comparative.

6. as

Megumi is from Japan, as is Sato.

So-eun wants to leave early today, as does Oi.

If thrown into the water, camels can swim, as can cats.

Inversion is obligatory.

Used with all verbs.

We can only use inversion if we are using as for comparisons.

as is one of the trickiest words in English; it can have many different meanings.

7. so… that…

So happy was I that I bought flowers for everybody in class.

So quickly did she leave that we did not even realize was gone.

So rarely does a comet appear visible to the naked eye that when one does, it is considered a major event.

Question form is obligatory.

Used with all verbs.

This is not so common on the TOEFL, but is fairly common on the _____ and _____.

The so… that… clause must before the verb in for this type of inversion.

8. had, should, were for if-clauses

Had I remembered Tomomi's birthday, she wouldn’t be mad at me now.

Note that the word if does NOT appear in the clause when inversion is used:

Had I remembered = If I had remembered

Should you need a hand, I will be more than happy to help you.

Should you need a hand = If you should need a hand

Were I you, I think I would study more for your exam tomorrow.

Were I you = If I were you

Inversion is obligatory.

Used with all verbs.

This is somewhat common on the _____ and more common on the _____ and _____.

This type of inversion is kind of special. Notice that we can only use this type of inversion when we are using an if-clause. In other words, if is omitted: even though the word if does not appear in the clause, we still have the meaning of an if-clause.

For more information, see had, should, were.

9. there is, there are, there exists, there comes, etc.

There is a good restaurant nearby.

There comes a time in every person’s life when she realizes that she is responsible for her own happiness, not other people.

Scientists hypothesize that there exists a certain type of particle that can travel faster than the speed of light.

Inversion is obligatory.

Usually used only with these verbs.

This form of inversion is common on the _____, _____, and _____, as well as in spoken and written English.

Most people remember there is and there are. BUT we must also remember that there are other verbs that we can use instead of is and are. The most common ones are exist, come, and go.

10. here is, here are, here comes, here come

Here is some good food for you to try.

Here are the books that I don’t need anymore.

Here comes the bus!

Inversion is obligatory.

Usually used only with these verbs.

You will probably not see this on the grammar section of the _____ or on the _____ or _____. It could, however, appear on the Listening Comprehension Section of the _____. We use this form mostly in spoken English.

11. intro -ing

Burning out of control was the forest located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Coming in last in the race was Joe "Elephant Legs" Blow.

Not helping the situation was little Susie, who was throwing newspaper on the spreading fire.

Inversion is obligatory.

Used only with be-verbs.

This form is not common on the _____, but might show up on the _____ or ______.

Notice the intro –ing phrase is the complement of the be-verb.

12. emphasis

Boy am I hungry.

Is it ever hot in here!

Do you know how to cook!

Inversion is optional.

Used with all verbs.

13. the bigger, the better

The closer an object is to another object, the greater is the gravity between the two objects.

Question form is optional.

Used with all verbs.

14. questions

Is this the last example?

Do you enjoy reading these lists?

Are we finished yet?

Inversion is obligatory.

Used with all verbs.

You will probably not see this on the grammar section of the _____ (_____ doesn't test questions anymore) or on the _____ or _____. It would, however, appear on the Listening Comprehension Section of the ______.

15. "story speech"

“I think it’s time to go,” said Susan.

“It’s time for you, but not for me,” replied Gary.

“Maybe we should collect our thoughts for a moment,” commented Lany.

Inversion is optional.

Used with verbs that report speech.

You will probably not see this on the grammar section of the _____ or on the _____ or _____.

16. nor

No one has volunteered for the job, nor do we expect anyone to volunteer in the future.

Hok-ming cannot speak Portuguese, nor can José speak Cantonese.

The zoo regulations will not permit you to touch the animals, nor would most people advise you to do so.

Inversion is obligatory.

Used with all verbs.

You might see this on the adaptive _____ if you are scoring high and it could appear on the _____ or _____.

Remember that nor is considered a conjunction, but we use it between two sentences (not between any two elements like the other conjunctions).

17. "so do I"/ "neither do I."

“So do I.”

“So can Terry.”

“Neither do most people I know.”

Inversion is obligatory.

Used with all verbs.

You will probably not see this on the grammar section of the ______ or on the _____ or _____.

18. intro adjective

Beautiful beyond belief was my baby daughter.

Happy about their acceptance into their dream schools were Lany and Tomo.

Quick and painless will be your medical procedure.

Inversion is obligatory in most cases.

Used with be-verbs.

This one is fairly rare and probably would not appear on the _____, but you might see it on the _____ or _____.

Inversion is sometimes not used in poetic language.