Ready for C1 p 164 Ex 3. Inversion

 This exercise focuses on negative inversion, where a negative or restrictive adverbial phrase at the beginning of a sentence requires a question-like word order (auxiliary verb + subject + main verb).








Complete:




1 No sooner __________________________home than my mother phoned.














KEY





No sooner had I arrived / got home than my mother phoned.







Grammar note: "No sooner... than" usually pairs the past perfect with the simple past.







2. Only when _______________________the news on television did she realise the full scale of the tragedy.

 

 

 KEY

 

 

 

Only when she saw / watched the news on television did she realise the full scale of the tragedy.






Grammar note: With "Only when", the inversion happens in the main clause ("did she realise"), not the time clause.







3. Never before in all my working life_______________________ such an incompetent boss.

 

 

 

 

KEY 

 

Never before in all my working life had/have I encountered / met / worked for such an incompetent boss.


Grammar note: "Never before" typically pairs with the present perfect when you are talking about your life experiences up to the present moment and with the past perfect to talk about an experience up to a point in the past. 







4. Not until you’ve tidied your room __________________ you to go out and play with your friends! 

 

 

 

 

KEY 

 

 

Not until you’ve tidied your room will I allow you to go out and play with your friends!






Grammar note: Because the final part uses "to go", an auxiliary like will paired with allow fits perfectly (e.g., "will I allow you to go"). With let we use infinitive without to: "will I let you go".




5 Hardly _______________________________his new job when the company ran into problems and made him redundant.

 

 

 

 

KEY 

Hardly had he started / begun his new job when the company ran into problems and made him redundant.






Grammar note: "Hardly... when" follows the same past perfect pattern as "No sooner... than".




6. At no point in the marathon _________________________of giving up: I had promised myself I would finish it.

 

 

 

 

 

KEY 

At no point in the marathon did I think of giving up: I had promised myself I would finish it.



Grammar note: "Did I think of" fits the grammar smoothly here. With consider, the structure is "did I consider giving up".




7. Never again _______________________her advice – I’m in more trouble now than I was before.

 

 

 

 

 

KEY 

Never again will I take / listen to her advice – I’m in more trouble now than I was before.



Grammar note: The second half is in the present/past tense regarding current trouble, meaning they are making a firm resolution for the future ("will I...").




8. Little __________________________that someone was recording their conversation. 

 

 

 

 

KEY 

 

 

Little did they know / suspect that someone was recording their conversation.



Grammar note: "Little did [someone] know/realize/suspect" is a fixed idiomatic inversion used to show complete lack of awareness.

Ready for C1 p 171. Proposal for the New Arts Magazine. Verb Form Gap Fill

 

Task: 

Read the following text and fill in the gaps with the verb that best fits each space using the correct verb form of the verbs below. There are TWO extra verbs you will not need. The activity begins with an example (0).

Verbs: request, render, grow, take, struggle, adopt, provide, launch, give, achieve, note, enhance, jeopardise, outline.

 

Proposal task instructions: 

The committee of your college's Arts Club, of which you are a member, has decided to publish a monthly arts magazine for students. The leader of the committee asks you to draft a proposal saying what should be included in the magazine, suggesting who could contribute to it, and outlining ways in which interest in the magazine could be generated.

 

Proposal for the Launch of a New Arts Magazine

INTRODUCTION

As (0) requested, I am submitting the following proposal with a view to (1) a strategic approach for the publication of a new arts magazine. The primary aim of this proposal is to present a series of recommendations designed to ensure the magazine attracts the widest possible readership among the student body, while simultaneously establishing a lasting cultural presence within the institution.

CURRENT SITUATION

It is clear from student feedback that there is a considerable appetite for a platform that celebrates local creativity; however, existing publications have consistently failed to bridge the gap between professional arts and the student experience. Had such a platform been introduced earlier, it is reasonable to assume that student engagement with the arts (2) considerably by now. In light of this year's experience with digital engagement, it is an undeniable fact that students are increasingly seeking multi-platform content, which strongly suggests that a traditional print-only approach would be insufficient at best, and outright counterproductive at worst.

RECOMMENDATIONS

To improve the situation and maximise engagement, I recommend (3) the following course of action:

• Diversifying Content through Reviews: I would strongly advocate including several reviews per issue, spanning a broad range of artistic disciplines. Were the magazine to attract a truly diverse audience, it would be vital to report consistently on local concerts and exhibitions, particularly those offering student concessions. Furthermore, by featuring events in which our own students are performing or exhibiting, the editorial team would inevitably foster a far stronger sense of community — something that no existing publication has yet managed (4).
• Professional Insight via Q&A Interviews: It would seem not only sensible but essential to feature in-depth interviews with graduates currently working across arts-related industries. There is little doubt that hearing first-hand accounts of the specific steps (5) after graduation will prove to be of considerable benefit to students who are hoping to establish themselves professionally. (6) themselves to navigate the transition from academia to industry, these graduates are uniquely placed to offer meaningful guidance.
• Integrating Digital Tutorials: Looking ahead, I would strongly urge the editorial board to consider (7) a fortnightly digital edition to complement the monthly print version, rather than treating digital content as an afterthought. Beyond enabling the inclusion of video tutorials, this approach would serve to position the magazine as a forward-thinking publication. For instance, students who have spent time mastering software such as Photoshop® would find step-by-step tutorials on advanced techniques — such as 3D effects — both immediately applicable and highly motivating.

PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY

The advantages of the approach proposed above would include a significant and sustained increase in visibility at minimal cost. I would therefore strongly recommend promoting the magazine across social networking platforms and the college website simultaneously, so as to maximise reach from the outset. In the first instance, this would entail (8) a dedicated promotional page no fewer than three weeks prior to the first issue — a step that would not only raise awareness but also allow the student body to contribute articles well in advance of the publication date. It is worth (9) that, were this strategy to be implemented effectively, organic growth through student sharing (10) paid advertising entirely unnecessary.

CONCLUSION

To conclude, the evidence points overwhelmingly towards a high level of interest in a student-centric arts publication, and the time to act is clearly now. I am firmly convinced that the measures proposed above will not only answer the needs of our creative community, but will also ensure the magazine's longevity and continued relevance. I trust that these recommendations (11) due consideration and that they will meet with your full approval.

 

 

 

 

KEY 

 

 

 

1. outlining

 

 

 

 

2. would have grown 

 

 

 

 

3. adopting 

 

 

 

4. to achieve 

 

 

 

 

5. taken 

 

 

 

 

6. Having struggled 

 

 

 

 

 

7. providing 

 

 

 

 

8. launching 

 

 

 

 

9. noting 

 

 

 

 

10. could/would render 

 

 

 

 

11. will be given 

Ready for C1 p 164. Inversion

 

INVERSION - EXPLANATION

Inversion. More Extra Grammar

Inversion. Extra Exercises

Inversion. Key Word Transformations

Inversion. Key Word Transformations 2

Ready for C1 p 164 . Inversion. Extra Exercises

INVERSION

1. I have never before been asked to accept a bribe.
Never before
2. He had hardly left the house when the storm broke.
Hardly
3. As soon as he had left the house the storm broke.
No sooner
4. This switch must not be touched on any account.
On no account
5. She rarely has any money to spare.
Rarely
6. He hardly speaks to anyone.
Hardly
7. The nation has seldom been faced with such difficulties.
Seldom
8. They had hardly started playing tennis when it began to rain.
Hardly
9. A father has seldom sacrificed so much for his child.
Seldom
10. You may not return after midnight on any account.
On no account
11. He would not give up writing his satires under any circumstances.
Under no circumstances
12. He realized the danger he had been in only after he had read the newspaper the following morning.
Only after
13. They were not able to assess the damage until the floods had subsided.
Not until
14. He only stays in bed if he is seriously ill.
Only if
15. We  only then realized how much he had suffered.
Only then
16. He was only able to do the exercise with a great deal of effort.
Only
17. He didn’t manage to get permission until she had calmed down.
Not until
18. No director has made such an intellectually challenging sci-fi movie since Kubrick’s 2001.
Not since
19. He became so suspicious that he didn’t even trust his family.
So suspicious
20. He was so anxious to start a new life that he actually changed his name.
So anxious
21. He could only make himself heard by shouting at the top of his voice.
Only by
22. He laughed so much that tears rolled down his cheeks.
So much
23. Her business was so successful that Marie was able to retire at the age of 50.
So successful
24. If you were less than delighted with our product, we would refund your money immediately.
Were
25. If you were to accept our offer, we could avoid the costs of a court case.
Were
26. If the builders were to finish their work to schedule, they would receive a bonus.
Were
27. If the tickets should fail to arrive before the departure date, we would arrange to have duplicates waiting at the airport.
Should
28. If the film had been released in the summer, it would not have been so successful.
Had
29. He had no money and his sister didn’t have any either.
He had no money, neither / nor
30. They have no intention of paying and we don’t either.
They have no intention of paying and nor / neither
31. I couldn’t face my father and Jane couldn’t either.
I couldn’t face my father and neither / nor
32. Tom came in.
In
33. Two large dogs jumped up.
Up
34. Half a dozen apples fell down.
Down
35. The body of our late lamented sovereign lies here.
Here 
36. As soon as Springsteen had gone on stage, it started to rain.
No sooner 
37. We only very rarely go to the cinema these days. 
Only very rarely  
38. I have never seen such a terrible performance of Hamlet before. 
Never before
39. Bags must not be left unattended at any time.
At no time 
40. The identity of the murderer is not revealed until the very last page. 
Not until
41. They only realized the painting had been hung upside down when someone complained at reception. 
Only when  
42. He would never play in front of a live audience again 
Never again 
43. She had hardly sat down to watch her favourite programme when the phone rang. 
Hardly 
44. You will not be allowed to enter the auditorium under any circumstances once the play has started.
Under  
45. We not only went to the National Gallery, but we also saw a West End musical.
Not 
46. John had not enjoyed himself so much since he went to the theme park as a child.
Not 

47. We won’t give in to their demands in any way.

In

 



KEY
INVERSION
1. I have never before been asked to accept a bribe.



Never before HAVE I BEEN ASKED TO ACCEPT A BRIBE.



2. He had hardly left the house when the storm broke.



Hardly HAD HE LEFT THE HOUSE WHEN THE STORM BROKE.



3. As soon as he had left the house the storm broke.



No sooner HAD HE LEFT THE HOUSE THAN THE STORM BROKE.



4. This switch must not be touched on any account.



On no account MUST THIS SWITCH BE TOUCHED.



5. She rarely has any money to spare.



Rarely DOES SHE HAVE ANY MONEY TO SPARE.



6. He hardly speaks to anyone.



Hardly DOES HE SPEAK TO ANYONE.



7. The nation has seldom been faced with such difficulties.



Seldom HAS THE NATION BEEN FACED WITH SUCH DIFFICULTIES.



8. They had hardly started playing tennis when it began to rain.



Hardly HAD THEY STARTED PLAYING TENNIS WHEN IT BEGAN TO RAIN.



9. A father has seldom sacrificed so much for his child.



Seldom HAS A FATHER SACRIFICED SO MUCH FOR HIS CHILD.



10. You may not return after midnight on any account.



On no account MAY YOU RETURN AFTER MIDNIGHT.



11. He would not give up writing his satires under any circumstances.



Under no circumstances WOULD HE GIVE UP WRITING HIS SATIRES.



12. He realized the danger he had been in only after he had read the newspaper the following morning.



Only after HE HAD READ THE NEWSPAPER THE FOLLOWING MORNING DID HE REALISE THE DANGER HE HAD BEEN IN.



13. They were not able to assess the damage until the floods had subsided.



Not until THE FLOODS HAD SUBSIDED WERE THEY ABLE TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE.



14. He only stays in bed if he is seriously ill.



Only if HE IS SERIOUSLY ILL DOES HE STAY IN BED.



15. We  only then realized how much he had suffered.



Only then DID WE REALISE HOW MUCH HE HAD SUFFERED.



16. He was only able to do the exercise with a great deal of effort.



Only WITH A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT WAS HE ABLE TO DO THE EXERCISE.



17. He didn’t manage to get permission until she had calmed down.



Not until SHE HAD CALMED DOWN DID HE MANAGE TO GET PERMISSION.



18. No director has made such an intellectually challenging sci-fi movie since Kubrick’s 2001.



Not since KUBRICK’S 2001 HAS ANY DIRECTOR MADE SUCH AN INTELLECTUALLY CHALLENGING SCI-FI MOVIE.




19. He became so suspicious that he didn’t even trust his family.



So suspicious DID HE BECOME THAT HE DIDN’T EVEN TRUST HIS FAMILY.



20. He was so anxious to start a new life that he actually changed his name.



So anxious WAS HE TO START A NEW LIFE THAT HE ACTUALLY CHANGED HIS NAME.





21. He could only make himself heard by shouting at the top of his voice.



Only by SHOUTING AT THE TOP OF HIS VOICE COULD HE MAKE HIMSELF HEARD.




22. He laughed so much that tears rolled down his cheeks.



So much DID HE LAUGH THAT TEARS ROLLED DOWN HIS CHEEKS.



23. Her business was so successful that Marie was able to retire at the age of 50.



So successful WAS HER BUSINESS THAT MARIE WAS ABLE TO RETIRE AT THE AGE OF 50.



24. If you were less than delighted with our product, we would refund your money immediately.



Were YOU LESS THAN DELIGHTED WITH OUR PRODUCT, WE WOULD REFUND YOUR MONEY IMMEDIATELY.



25. If you were to accept our offer, we could avoid the costs of a court case.



Were YOU TO ACCEPT OUR OFFER, WE COULD AVOID THE COSTS OF A COURT CASE.



26. If the builders were to finish their work to schedule, they would receive a bonus.



Were THE BUILDERS TO FINISH THEIR WORK TO SCHEDULE, THEY WOULD RECEIVE A BONUS.



27. If the tickets should fail to arrive before the departure date, we would arrange to have duplicates waiting at the airport.



Should THE TICKETS FAIL TO ARRIVE BEFORE THE DEPARTURE DATE, WE WOULD ARRANGE TO HAVE DUPLICATES WAITING AT THE AIRPORT.



28. If the film had been released in the summer, it would not have been so successful.



Had THE FILM BEEN RELEASED IN THE SUMMER, IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL.



29. He had no money and his sister didn’t have any either.



He had no money, neither / nor DID HIS SISTER.



30. They have no intention of paying and we don’t either.



They have no intention of paying and nor / neither DO WE.



31. I couldn’t face my father and Jane couldn’t either.



I couldn’t face my father and neither / nor COULD JANE.



32. Tom came in.



In CAME TOM.



33. Two large dogs jumped up.



Up JUMPED TWO LARGE DOGS.



34. Half a dozen apples fell down.



Down FELL HALF A DOZEN APPLES.



35. The body of our late lamented sovereign lies here.



Here LIES THE BODY OF OUR LATE LAMENTED SOVEREIGN.



36. As soon as Springsteen had gone on stage, it started to rain.



No sooner had Springsteen gone on stage than it started to rain. 



37. We only very rarely go to the cinema these days. 



Only very rarely do we go to the cinema these days. 



38. I have never seen such a terrible performance of Hamlet before. 



Never before have I seen such a terrible performance of Hamlet.


 
39. Bags must not be left unattended at any time.



At no time must bags be left unattended



40. The identity of the murderer is not revealed until the very last page. 



Not until the very last page is the identity of the murderer revealed
 


41. They only realized the painting had been hung upside down when someone complained at reception. 



Only when someone complained at reception did they realize the painting had been hung upside down.



42. He would never play in front of a live audience again 



Never again would he play in front of a live audience.



43. She had hardly sat down to watch her favourite programme when the phone rang. 



Hardly had she sat down to watch her favourite programme when the phone rang.



44. You will not be allowed to enter the auditorium under any circumstances once the play has started.



Under no circumstances will you be allowed to enter the auditorium once the play has started.



45. We not only went to the National Gallery, but we also saw a West End musical.



Not only did we go to the National Gallery, but we also saw a West End musical.



46. John had not enjoyed himself so much since he went to the theme park as a child.



Not since John went to the theme park as a child had he enjoyed himself so much.

 

 

47. We won’t give in to their demands in any way.

 

 

In no way will we give in to their demands.

 

 




More exercises:
Here
Here
Here