Negative inversion - practice exercises
I. Invert the following sentences.
1.I had hardly begun to apologize when the door closed .
Hardly had I begun to apologize when the door closed.
2.I have seldom heard such a talented singer.
Seldom have I heard such a talented singer.
3.If John had known that she liked curry, he would have brought her to an Indian restaurant.Had John known that she liked curry, he would have brought her to an Indian restaurant.
4.The artist rarely paid any attention to his agent`s advice.
Rarely did the artist pay attention to his agent`s advice.
5.He had never felt so depressed.
Never had he felt so depressed.
6.The shop can in no way be held responsible for customers` lost property.
In no way can the shop be held responsible for customers` lost property.
7.The couple had no sooner arrived than the priest started the ceremony.
No sooner had the couple arrived than the priest started the ceremony.
8.Tom only understood the meaning of the comment when he saw his wife`s face.Only when he saw his wife`s face did Tom realize the meaning of the comment.
9.She never at any time said that she was allergic to cats.
Never at any time had she said (that) she was allergic to cats.
10. The restaurant cannot accept animals under any circumstances.
Under no circumstances can the restaurant accept animals.II. Choose the correct answer.
1. .... should children be allowed to drive.
no sooner under no circumstances
2. .... after months of planning were they ready for the conference.
rarely only
3. .... had I left than I heard them laughing.
no sooner only when
4. Now .... to escape and she jumped from the window.
was the time the time was
5. Many a time .... plan to divorce her husband, but she never did.
she did did she
6. Only .... can we start the party.
when Jane has arrived when has Jane arrived
7. .... who borrowed the money.
Max it was It was Max
8. What .... is simply not true.
are you saying you are saying
III. Fill the gaps using the following words : has / before / than / audience / then / was / started / will / can / did / so many / had
1.Hardly ever ..has... an athlete won so many medals in such a short time.
2.Little ...did... we realise what a social faux-pas we had committed.
3.Scarcely ...had.... the match started when the trouble began.
4.Only by standing on tip-toe ...was.. I able to see anything at all.
5.Seldom can anaudience have heard a better interpretation of this symphony.
6.Hardly had the controversial opera started when people began to walk out.
7.Only if we leave now ..will. we be in time to catch the train.
8.Never have I seen ..so many. people turn out for this event.
9.Rarely .can. a remark have been more ill-judged.
10.Only ...then.. did it become clear what the extent of the damage was.
11.Barely had we had time to pack up the picnic things before the heavens opened.
12.No sooner had we asked for a quieter room ..than we were given one.
IV. Fill the gaps using the these words : else / way / did / circumstances / nothing / such / nor / until /would/ account/ only /even
1.At no timedid he seem to realise what an idiot he was making of himself.
2.At no time before have I heard .such. arrant nonsense.
3.Nowhere .else. do they charge you so much for water.
4.On no account should you miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
5.Under no circumstances must this door be left unlocked.
6.Not ..until.. she apologises for what she said will I speak to her again.
7.Not even if they halved the price would I buy such a heap of old rubbish.
8.Not for all the money in the world .would. I do what you`re suggesting.
9.Not ...only.. do I know you`re wrong, but I can also prove you`re wrong.
10.Neither was the food up to standard .......... was the service particularly good.
11.Everyone except me got soaked. Not for .nothing. do I always carry an umbrella.
12.No .way. am I going to jump into that icy cold water!
V. Make inverted sentences from the sentences given, using the words