Inversion + Cleft Sentences

1. Inversion

2. Cleft Sentences

3. Fronting

4. Auxiliary verbs

5. Reflexives

Inversions: when we use the question word order for emphasis to link new information with previous information.

They are often used in formal or written English; they are less common in conversation.

1. Inversions are used after:

Rarely, Seldom, Hardly (ever), Never, Little, Scarcely, Not only ... (but) ....

Nowhere, At no time, (In) no way, Under no circumstances, On no account, Under no condition

Hardly/ Scarcely ... when, often with Past Perfect

No sooner than

Only then/ later/ after/ if/ by, Not until

Adverbs: Here, There, First, Then, FInally

so/ neither/ nor

as

in conditional sentences with auxiliaries were, had and should

1. Inversions are used after:

Rarely, Seldom, Hardly (ever), Never, Little, Scarcely, Not only ... (but) ....

Nowhere, At no time, (In) no way, Under no circumstances, On no account, Under no condition

Hardly/ Scarcely ... when, often with Past Perfect

No sooner than

Only then/ later/ after/ if/ by, Not until

Adverbs: Here, There, First, Then, FInally

so/ neither/ nor

as

in conditional sentences with auxiliaries were, had and should

2. CLEFT Sentences

They have two parts, each part includes a verb and they are used to emphasize ONE part of the sentence.

It + be + emphasized word/ phrase + who/ that/ which/when/ where

It was the car keys that Peter found (not something else).

What (the thing that) clause + be + (to) infinitive/ noun

What he did was ruin my party.

All/ The (only/ last) thing

All she did was smile and shake her head.

The only thing I want to do is fire him.

3. Fronting: when we move parts of the sentence to the beginning (front) to add emphasis.

comparative/ superlative:

I like all his dishes. Best of all is his spinach pie.

so + adjective + be .... that

So severe was the storm that several trees were blown down.

such

Such was his anger that he could barely contain himself.

3. Fronting

verbs of movement/ position:

Standing at the entrance to the harbour is the beautiful statue of the mermaid.

adjective/ verb + though/ as + subject + be/ may/ might

Hopeless as it may seem, we must preserve with the treatment.

4. Auxiliary Verbs: they are used in positive statements. In spoken speech the auxiliary is stressed.

The bride does look georgous!

5. Reflexives: they can emphasize a noun/ pronoun.

a. after the subject: The book itself is fascinating.

b. at the end of the sentence: It would be better if you asked her yourself.