Mastering Inversion
Formal & Emphatic Sentence Transformations (B2-C1)
Master the "BBC" Style: Inversion makes your writing sound more professional.
Need a refresher? Read the Theory Guide here before you start.
1. I have never seen such a beautiful sunrise.
Never...
Answer: Never have I seen such a beautiful sunrise.
2. She had hardly finished her meal when the phone rang.
Hardly...
Answer: Hardly had she finished her meal when the phone rang.
3. We rarely go out for dinner these days.
Rarely...
Answer: Rarely do we go out for dinner these days.
4. They didn't realize that the police were watching them.
Little...
Answer: Little did they realize that the police were watching them.
5. You should not open this door under any circumstances.
Under no circumstances...
Answer: Under no circumstances should you open this door.
6. I realized only then that I had lost my keys.
Only then...
Answer: Only then did I realize that I had lost my keys.
7. The team hasn't won a game so far this season.
Not once...
Answer: Not once has the team won a game so far this season.
8. You can only master a language by practicing every day.
Only by practicing every day...
Answer: Only by practicing every day can you master a language.
9. He had no sooner sat down than the doorbell rang.
No sooner...
Answer: No sooner had he sat down than the doorbell rang.
10. I have seldom heard such a talented singer.
Seldom...
Answer: Seldom have I heard such a talented singer.
11. We cannot allow this situation to continue in any way.
In no way...
Answer: In no way can we allow this situation to continue.
12. He didn't say a single word during the meeting.
Not a single word...
Answer: Not a single word did he say during the meeting.
13. It was only when I arrived that I realized the mistake.
Only when I arrived...
Answer: Only when I arrived did I realize the mistake.
14. You must not disclose this secret on any account.
On no account...
Answer: On no account must you disclose this secret.
15. It is rare for it to snow in this part of the country.
Rarely...
Answer: Rarely does it snow in this part of the country.