1.1 No sooner had Paco arrived than he went to the hotel

Icono IDevice Important
There are some important issues you must bear in mind when dealing with the inversion structures we are studying at the moment. First, remember that it is a very formal structure. Second, it is very frequently used to give emphasis to the sentence in which this structure is used. And, finally, there are two main sentences with which this structure is often used:
  • Sentences with negative adverbs or phrases (seldom, no sooner, at no time, not only, etc.). Why don't you have a look at all the examples in the previous section before going on?
E.g.: No sooner had Paco arrived in Canberra than he went to the hotel by taxi.
  • Conditional sentences.
E.g.: Had he arrived earlier, he would have gone to the National Library of Australia straight away.

In order to learn the main uses of inversion in English, click on the picture below.

        
Imagen en Flickr de fdecomite bajo CC

 

 


Icono IDevice Further knowledge

However, it is possible that with the short explanation above you think that it is not enough. If you think so, click on the pictures below in order to learn more about the topic before doing some activities to practise.

 

Now, it is time to add some exercises to the previous grammar. In some of the links below not only will you find some more grammar explanations but also some exercises to practice.

Icono de iDevice Self-Assessment activity
Fill in the blanks to transform the sentences using inversion.

By Martyman. GNU Free Documentation License

1. He has never had a better time before.

Never a better time before.

2. Paco not only studies History but he also English.

Not History but also English.

3. He hardly ever visited his brother in Madrid.

Hardly his brother in Madrid.

4. He got astonished as soon as he entered the library.

No sooner the library than he got astonished.

  

Have you ever heard the expressions "So do I" or "Neither can I". Let's see what they are used for in the following section.
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