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Square Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

On gets someone

Imagine the scene: you are sitting on the tube and on gets someone you instinctively feel is American.

Source: "IELTS"

Could you explain about the phrase "on gets someone" in terms of meaning and grammar?
It is really confusing. I can't figure out what it means.
I just saw an explanation in the net saying that it is a kind of inversion.
"on gets someone" = "someone gets on"
It would be great if you could help me explain more about the grammar.
Thanks.
  

Top answer

Square I just saw an explanation in the net saying that it is a kind of inversion. "on gets someone" = "someone gets on" That's right. It is a literary inversion there, but inversion with fronted adverbials can be more common and unremarkable: Never have I seen such a fiasco!

— Mister Micawber

  • Square I just saw an explanation in the net saying that it is a kind of inversion.
  • "on gets someone" = "someone gets on" That's right.
  • It is a literary inversion there, but inversion with fronted adverbials can be more common and unremarkable: Never have I seen such a fiasco!
  • Under the spreading chestnut tree sits the village idiot .
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4 Answers
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SquareI just saw an explanation in the net saying that it is a kind of inversion. "on gets someone" = "someone gets on"
That's right. It is a literary inversion there, but inversion with fronted adverbials can be more common and unremarkable:

Never have I seen such a fiasco!
Under the spreading chestnut tree sits the village idiot.
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Thank you.

"someone gets on" = "someone gets on (the tube)"

Is "get on" used as an intransitive verb here? I think "get on" need to be used as "transitive verb". However, in the sentence above "the tube" seems to be clear to the reader.

Should I avoid the type of inversion in formal situations?
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SquareIs "get on" used as an intransitive verb here? I think "get on" need to be used as "transitive verb
It can be read either way: [gets on] the tube or gets [on the tube].
SquareShould I avoid the type of inversion in formal situations?
Not if you know what you are doing.
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Square"on gets someone"
It's related to locative inversion. Use the search box to read more about locative inversion.

Strangely, Beth Levin (English Verb Classes and Alternations) does not list "get" as a verb that is normally involved in locative inversion, and her lists are usually pretty complete. I confess that "on gets someone" strikes m
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