INVERSION PRACTICE EXERCISES

Answer Key

1. The Director will never give in to public pressure.

Never will the director give in to public pressure.

2. As soon as the meeting started, fighting broke out in the audience.

No sooner had the meeting started, than fighting broke out in the audience
3. Henry didn't suspect his brother of complicity in the crime for one moment.
Not for one moment did Henry suspect his brother of complicity in the crime.
4. I have never been so surprised in all my life.
Never have I been so surprised in all my life.
5. You will not find craftsmanship of such quality anywhere.
Nowhere (else) will you find craftsmanship of such quality.
6. I will never allow such practices to take place again.
Never again will I allow such practices to take place.
7. He announced his discovery to the world only when he was certain of his results.
Only when he was certain of his results, did he announce his discovery to the world.
8. Good whisky is ready for consumption only after it has matured for ten years.
Only after it has matured for ten years, is whisky ready for consumption.
9. This government had deceived the public, and it has deceived itself.
Not only had this government deceived the public, but it has also deceived itself.
10. This door should not be left open under any circumstances.
Under / In no circumstances should this door be left open.
11. The values of our society are at risk, and the very survival of the nation is
threatened.
Not only are the values of our society at risk, but the very survival of the nation is also
threatened.
12. This country has never been so threatened before.
Never before has this country been so threatened.
13. Artists are rarely appreciated while they are still alive.
Rarely are artists appreciated while they are still alive.
14. Children little realize that their world of innocence soon disappears.
Little do children realize that their world of innocence soon disappears.
15. I didn't intend to deceive you at any time.
At no time did I intent to deceive you.
16. If I ever told you a lie, I wouldn't be able to look you in the eye.
Should I told you a lie / Were I to tell you a lie, I wouldn’t be able to look you in the
eye.
17. I respect her opinions, and I admire her character greatly as well.
Not only do I respect her opinions, but I also admire her character greatly.
18. If you require any further information, don't hesitate to contact me.
Should you require any further information, don’t hesitate to contact me.
19. I haven't had to study so hard since I was at university.
Never had I had to study so hard since I was at university.
20. If I hadn't witnessed the experiment with my own eyes, I would never have believed
it could be done.
Hadn’t I witnessed the experiment with my own eyes, I would never have believed it
could be done.

1. Harry broke his leg and also injured his shoulder.

Not only did he break his leg, but he also injured his shoulder

2. The police didn't suspect at all that the judge was the murderer.

Little did the police suspect that the judge was the murderer.

3. If you do happen to see Helen, could you ask her to call me?

Should you happen to see Helen, could you ask her to call me?

4. The bus driver cannot be blamed for the accident in any way.

In no way can the bus driver be blamed for the accident.

5. The snowfall was so heavy that all the trains had to be cancelled.

So heavy was the snowfall that all the trains had to be cancelled

6. If the government raised interest rates, they would lose the election.

Were the government to raise interest rates,they would lose the election.