Inversion after negative words If a negative adverb or adverb phrase comes at the beginning of a clause, it is usually followed by auxiliary verb + subject These structures are rather formal Under no circumstances can we admit somebody like her (NOT Under no circumstances we can admit somebody like her.) At no time did she realize what she had done (NOT At no time she realized what she had done.) Hardly had I arrived when trouble started (NOT Hardly I had arrived when trouble started.) Seldom have I seen such a horrible sight (NOT Seldom I have seen such a horrible sight.) Little did she realize what she was doing Not only did they lose their money, but they were badly beaten In a less formal style, we begin these sentences with their proper subject In that case, the auxiliary verb comes after the subject I had hardly arrived when trouble started I have seldom seen such a horrible sight In formal conditional clauses, an auxiliary verb can be put before the subject instead of using if Were I you, I wouldn’t it (= If I were you, I wouldn’t it.) Had I realized what she wanted, I would not have allowed her in (= If I had realized what she wanted, I would not have allowed her in.) Stay on top of your writing! Download our grammar guide from www.englishgrammar.org to stay up-to-date Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)