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Kooyeen Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

Inversions with only

Hi,

- Do I need a special permit?
- No, only in California you need some kind of permit, but here in Nevada you're free to do whatever you want.

- So you can't buy a gun if you are known as a criminal, can you?
- No, only in California you can't do that, but here in Nevada criminals get a discount instead.

Only in Austin there's someone who can repair this damn pick-up. I think you'll have to go there...

Look at those examples. I used "only" at the beginning, but I didn't invert the verb with the subject. Is that mandatory? I'm afraid if I invert them I'll get more formal sentences.
Thanks Emotion: smile
  

Top answer

Well, Kooyeen, to my ear, without inversions your sentences sound either: 1) awful 2) as though 'only' might mean 'except'.

— Yankee

  • Well, Kooyeen, to my ear, without inversions your sentences sound either: 1) awful 2) as though 'only' might mean 'except'.
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4 Answers
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Well, Kooyeen, to my ear, without inversions your sentences sound either:

1) awful
2) as though 'only' might mean 'except'.

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I see, thanks. I won't try to start a sentence with "only" then.
Thanks Emotion: smile
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Why the heck not, Kooyeen? Your English is certainly up to the challenge.
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I vote for awful. Emotion: smile
Come one, Kooyeen. Bite the bullet and start practicing those inversions!

CJ
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