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Seagull Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

Negative words/phrases + inversion

Hello everyone. I have a question.

Could you please evaluate each of the four sentences below depending on whether it is natural? --

(A) Never did I see such a beautiful sight.
(B) Little did I dream that I would get the prize.
(C) Not a word did Tom say during the meeting.
(D) Not am I concerned about Mary's physical condition.

I know that the construction "negative words/phrases + inversion" is used when the speaker wants to emphasize the meaning of the sentence. I'm pretty sure that the sentences (A), (B) and (C) are correct English, but I'm not sure about (D). Is it also correct?

  

Top answer

You are right - a/b/c are correct, d is not. However, the use of this style of construction tends to be mainly for literary effect and a bit of formal writing. It is rare in spoken English.

— David Hatton

  • You are right - a/b/c are correct, d is not.
  • However, the use of this style of construction tends to be mainly for literary effect and a bit of formal writing.
  • It is rare in spoken English.
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2 Answers
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You are right - a/b/c are correct, d is not.

However, the use of this style of construction tends to be mainly for literary effect and a bit of formal writing. It is rare in spoken English.

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seagull(A) Never did have I seen such a beautiful sight.
seagull(B) Little did I dream that I would get the prize.

Okay, but consider "win" instead of "get".

seagull(C) Not a word did Tom say durin
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