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Inversion (Inverted Sentences)

Inverted word order after negative adverbs, conditionals, and more.

Inversion reverses normal subject-verb order. It is tested in TOEFL Reading and 6.

After negative adverbs:

  • *Never has* the company faced such a challenge.
  • *Not only did* she finish the report, but she also presented it.
  • *Rarely do* employees work on weekends.
  • *Seldom has* there been such high demand.

    • Conditional inversion (omitting "if"):

  • *Had* I known earlier, I would have applied. (= If I had known)
  • *Should* you have any questions, please contact us. (= If you should)
  • *Were* it not for the delay, we would have finished. (= If it were not)

    • After "Only":

  • Only after the meeting *did* we realize the issue.
  • Only by working together *can* we succeed.

    • Examples

    TOEFL Tip:

    After Never/Rarely/Seldom/Not only, expect inverted order (auxiliary + subject).