English Grammar Rules Inversion of subject and verb

In English, the usual order of words in a sentence is subject + verb + object. Sometimes certain adverbs come at the beginning of the sentence. This order is then inverted and the verb comes before the subject.

Study the following sentences.

Note that the sentences given above can also be written with normal word order.

Exercise

Rewrite the following sentences, putting the adverb first and inverting the subject and verb.

1. I have seldom heard such a beautiful voice.
2. He had hardly sat down for dinner when someone knocked at the door.
3. I have never heard such utter nonsense.
4. They not only looted the shop, but also set fire to it.

Answers

1. Seldom have I heard such a beautiful voice.
2. Hardly had he sat down for dinner when someone knocked at the door.
3. Never have I heard such utter nonsense.
4. Not only did they loot the shop, but also set fire to it.