Inversion. Part 2. Conditionals. so & such

Inversion. Part 2.

Conditionals

so & such

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INVERSION IN CONDITIONALS

to add emphasis

TYPE 0/1 

If you encounter an alien, do not attack it. -> 

Should you encounter an alien, do not attack it.

If you get too close to a black hole, it sucks you in. ->

Should you get too close to a black hole, it sucks you in.

SHOULD + SUBJECT + MAIN VERB (infinitive) + COMPLEMENTS, main clause

Note! Contracted negative forms are not used in inverted conditionals:

Should Batman not come, we will be in trouble. NOT: Shouldn't Batman come, we will be in trouble.

TYPE 2

If I WERE you, I would major in quantum mechanics. -> 

WERE I you, I would major in quantum mechanics.

WERE + SUBJECT + COMPLEMENTS, main clause

If she MAJORED in physics, she could work for NASA. ->

Were she TO MAJOR in physics, she could work for NASA.

WERE + SUBJECT + MAIN VERB (to-infinitive) + COMPLEMENTS, main clause

TYPE 3

If she had seen the documentary about Queen Elizabeth I, she would know more about her. -> 

Had she seen the documentary about Queen Elizabeth I, she would know more about her.

HAD + SUBJECT + MAIN VERB (past participle) + COMPLEMENTS, main clause

INVERSION WITH SO AND SUCH

to add emphasis

so + ADJ/ADV + auxiliary verb + subject + main verb + that...

SO + ADJECTIVE

She was so exhausted that she went straight to bed. ->

So exhausted was she that she went straight to bed.

SO + ADVERB

He played the tune so badly that nobody recognised it. ->

So badly did he play the tune that nobody recognised it.

SUCH + auxiliary verb + subject + that...

The extent of the damage was such that the car was a total write-off.

Such was the extent of the damage that the car was a total write-off.

She was such a beautiful woman that I fell in love immediately.

Such a beautiful woman was she that I fell in love immediately.

END OF PART 2