Inversions

1.   If a phrase in bold is correct, put a tick. If it is incorrect, rewrite it correctly.

a)  Hardly I had sat down when the doorbell rang.

b)  Scarcely had Julian finished writing when the teacher told the students to put their pens down.

c)   We had barely set off on our journey when the kids started asking when we would get there.

d)  No sooner the government changes the tax laws than businesses find a way around them.

e)  Scarcely they had finished painting the house when it started to rain. 6 Hardly the new
computer system had been installed when it started to go wrong.

f)   It's true that no sooner we had started eating than we realised we had forgotten the potatoes.

g)  Barely had the politician started to speak when began the crowd to boo.

h)  Hardly the new park was finished when vandals destroyed the flowerbeds.

i)   Scarcely Keith had arrived in Argentina when he was arrested.


2.   Complete using the words and phrases in the box.

  at no point • in no way • little • never • not • not only only after • on no account • rarely •
                                      under no circumstances


a)  …………………………………… were the security guards to blame for what happened.

b)  …………………………………… once did the old woman thank me for helping her.

c)   …………………………………… seeing the doctor was Theresa allowed to leave hospital.

d)  …………………………………… will passengers be allowed to carry more than 6 kg of hand luggage.

e)  …………………………………… were you late, but you also forgot to bring the correct documents.

f)   …………………………………… during the meeting did anyone mention that the managing director was planning
to leave.

g)  …………………………………… did the passengers know that the driver was really an undercover police officer.

h)  …………………………………… do you meet anyone as charming as Mr Beeching.

i)   …………………………………… should unaccompanied children be allowed to enter the area.

j)   …………………………………… before has the company found itself facing such stiff competition.


Revision


3.   Complete using the words in bold with the verb in the correct form.

a)  Not until the area is made safe …………………………………… (construction / can continue)

b)  In no way…………………………………… (the announcement / affect) how strongly we felt about the situation.

c)   Seldom …………………………………… (you / see) a vintage car in quite such good condition these days.

d)  Not only …………………………………… (Jerry / forget) my birthday, but he also forgot our wedding
anniversary.

e)  At no time …………………………………… (I / ask) my opinion on the subject.

f)   Only when …………………………………… (I / checked) the ticket again did I realise that I had won first
prize!

g)  Little …………………………………… (Caroline / realise) that I had a big surprise planned for her.

h)  Under no circumstances …………………………………… (you / should sign) a contract you haven't read
thoroughly.

i)   At no stage …………………………………… (it / appear) likely that Wilkinson would win the championship.

j)   Only if the weather is clear …………………………………… (the space shuttle / will allow) to launch.