Subject verb inversion

The following sentences illustrate subject-verb inversion. They compare recognized order with the non-standard inversion order, and they also point to the fact that subject-verb inversion is impossible if the subject is a weak (non-stressed) definite pronoun:

a. Jim sat under the tree.

b. Under the tree sat Jim. - Subject-verb inversion

c. *Under the tree sat he. - Subject-verb inversion impossible with weak definite subject pronoun

a. Bill said "I am hungry".

b. "I am hungry", said Bill. - Subject-verb inversion

c. "I am hungry", said he. - Subject-verb inversion impossible with weak definite subject pronoun

SUBJECT-VERB INVERSION

1. Sentence starts with negative sense:

Never do I watch TV.
In no way could I help you with your Hindi essay writing questions.
I believe that only rarely will I need your help.
Notes:

Used with all verbs.

2. Sentence starts with an adjective

Beautiful beyond belief is my baby daughter.
Happy about their acceptance into their dream schools were Ram and Tam.

Notes:

Inversion is obligatory in most cases.
Used with be-verbs.

 3. Sentence with a comparative adjective

Zebras run faster than do horses.
You speak Hindi better than do I.

Amir is more interested in Computer Science than is Salman.

Notes :

Inversion is optional.
Used with all verbs.

4. Sentence starts with a comparative adjective

Bigger than an elephant is the blue whale.
More important than your personal statement is your feedback.

Notes :

Inversion is obligatory.
Used with be-verbs.

 5. Sentence starts with an adverb or adverb phrase

Into the room ran the lady.
First comes love, then comes marriage.
After A comes B, then comes C, next comes D.

Notes:

Inversion is optional.
Used with be-verbs, linking verbs, and verbs of 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.

 6. Sentence starts with past participle

Found in Hassan district is Halmidi inscription, the so-called oldest Kannada inscription in the world.

Located between Naganahalli and Krishnaraja Puram is Kembegowda Layout.

Notes:

Inversion is obligatory.
Used with be-verbs.
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.

7. Sentence starts with a present participle

Coming in last in the race was Power Star Shreenivasan.
Inversion is obligatory.
Used only with be-verbs.

 8. Sentence starts with had, should, were for if-clauses

Had I remembered my wife'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

Notes:

Inversion is obligatory.
Used with all verbs.
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.

9. Sentence starts with there is, there are, there exists, there comes, etc.

There is a good restaurant nearby.
There comes a time in every person’s life because you are responsible for your own happiness, not other people.

Notes:

Inversion is obligatory.
Usually used only with these verbs.

10. Sentence starts with 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!

Notes:

Inversion is obligatory.
Usually used only with these verbs.

11. Sentence which emphasizes

Boy am I hungry.

Is it ever hot in here!     

Do you know how to cook!

Notes:

Inversion is optional.
Used with all verbs.

12. Sentence which questions

Is this the last example?
Do you enjoy reading these lists?

Are we finished yet?

Notes :

Inversion is obligatory.

Used with all verbs.

13. Sentence which speaks a "story speech"

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

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

Notes :
Inversion is optional.

Used with verbs that report speech.

14. Sentence which repeats same idea "so do I."

“So do I.”

“So can Sairam.”     

Inversion is obligatory.
Used with all verbs.

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