Inversion

Question

Is it necessary to use inversion here?"Only by training hard every day, can you become a good athletic."Thanks.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Inversion works better, but I suppose it is not necessary.

Marius Hancu · Answer

... can you become a good athlete (not athletic, which is an adjective)

Minhuoc · Answer

Thanks both of you very much.

CalifJim · Answer

I would definitely use inversion, because I think you are trying to say that there is no other way to become a good athlete except by training hard every day.

Only by training hard every day can you become a good athlete.

There is a possibility that a different meaning could be conveyed without the inversion, namely, that you can become a good athlete by doing no more than simply training hard every day. just is more often used than only if this meaning is intended, but there is still the possibility that only could be used with this meaning.

Only by training hard every day you can become a good athlete.
= Just by training hard every day you can become a good athlete.
= All you have to do to become a good athlete is to train hard every day.

CJ

Inversion

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