Inversion?

Question

Noticing hypothesis claims that only when students notice the targeted forms can they also process the new forms.

I don't understand the meaning of the sentence above.

1. Is that because something is omitted? or nothing?

or 2. 'can they' is inversed? if so, is it to emphasise something?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

The 'noticing hypothesis' claims that only when students notice the targeted forms can they also process the new forms.

I don't understand the meaning of the sentence above.-- It means "students can process the new forms only when they notice them'.

1. Is that because something is omitted? or nothing?-- Nothing is omitted.

2. 'can they' is inverted? -- Yes, Subject-Operator inversion often occurs with fronted adverbials ('only when...targeted forms'), especially negated ones or those with negative-like implications (like 'only'). Here it is mandatory. The sentence cannot read "only when...targeted forms they can...".

if so, is it to emphasise something?-- That is a good question. Unusual word order is in itself a sort of emphasis.

Inversion?

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