Inversion of the verb after certain adverbs
Certain adverbs and adverb phrases, mostly with a restrictive or negative sense, can for emphasis be placed first in a sentence or clause and are then followed by the inverted (i.e. interrogative) form of the verb. The most important of these are shown below. The numbers indicate paragraphs where an example will be found.
hardly ever on no account
hardly . . . when only by
in no circumstances only in this way
neither/nor only then/when
never scarcely ever
no sooner . . . than scarcely . . . when
not only seldom
not till so
nowhere
I haven’t got a ticket. ~ Neither/Nor have I.
I had never before been asked to accept a bribe.
Never before had I been asked to accept a bribe.
They not only rob you, they smash everything too.
Not only do they rob you, they smash everything too.
He didn’t realize that he had lost it till he got home.
Not till he got home did he realize that he had lost it.
This switch must not be touched on any account.
On no account must this switch be touched.
He was able to make himself heard only by shouting.
Only by shouting was he able to make himself heard.
He became so suspicious that. . . So suspicious did he become that. . .
Note also that a second negative verb in a sentence can sometimes be expressed by nor with inversion:
He had no money and didn’t know anyone he could borrow from.
He had no money, nor did he know anyone he could borrow from.
(neither would be less usual here.)
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