Inversion and Emphasis

Grammar Reference

Inversion and Emphasis — Exercises

Rewrite with inversion

Rewrite each sentence beginning with the word given. Do not change the meaning.

1. I have never seen such a devastating impact on biodiversity.Never
   
2. The company not only reduced carbon emissions but also improved its work ethic.Not only
   
3. She had hardly launched the start-up when investors began to take notice.Hardly
   
4. Automation rarely creates jobs at the same rate as it removes them.Rarely
   
5. The company had no sooner addressed the breach than another occurred.No sooner
   

Key word transformation — inversion

1. I have never seen such a committed team in my career.NEVER______ such a committed team in my career.
   
2. The policy not only reduced inequality but also improved social mobility.NOT ONLY______ inequality, but it also improved social mobility.
   
3. She had just published her findings when the journal contacted her.SOONERNo ______ her findings than the journal contacted her.
   
4. Companies rarely invest in staff well-being without external pressure.SELDOM______ in staff well-being without external pressure.
   

Correct the inversion errors

1. Never I have seen such gross inequality.
   
2. Not only the company did reduce emissions, but also cut costs.
   
3. Hardly she had begun her presentation when the projector failed.
   

Exercise four — Production

1. Write a sentence beginning with "Not only..." using correct inversion.
   

Inversion and Emphasis — Answer Key

Rewrite with inversion

1. Sample answer: Never have I seen such a devastating impact on biodiversity.
2. Sample answer: Not only did the company reduce carbon emissions, but it also improved its work ethic.
3. Sample answer: Hardly had she launched the start-up when investors began to take notice.
4. Sample answer: Rarely does automation create jobs at the same rate as it removes them.
5. Sample answer: No sooner had the company addressed the breach than another occurred.

Key word transformation — inversion

1. Never have I seen
2. Not only did the policy reduce
3. sooner had she published
4. Seldom do companies invest

Correct the inversion errors

1. Never have I seen
2. Not only did the company reduce
3. Hardly had she begun

Exercise four — Production

1. Open answer — graded automatically online; no single fixed model answer.