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Moon7296 Posted 15 years ago
Essay & Composition Writing

Translation/sentence structure

If two people really had different designs, their offspring would inherit a jumble of fragments from the genetic blueprints of each. Only if the two designs were extremely similar to begin with could the new combination work.

I don't know the sentence structure including the underlined part. It looks weird to me.
  

Top answer

No, quite common. With the 'only if' clause fronted, S and V can be inverted in the main clause. Only if the two designs were extremely similar to begin with could the new combination work.

— Mister Micawber

  • No, quite common.
  • With the 'only if' clause fronted, S and V can be inverted in the main clause.
  • Only if the two designs were extremely similar to begin with could the new combination work.
  • = The new combination could work only if the two designs were extremely similar to begin with.
  • Only is the key to inversion; it joins the negative inverters: Only if I see you will I hail you.
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5 Answers
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No, quite common. With the 'only if' clause fronted, S and V can be inverted in the main clause.

Only if the two designs were extremely similar to begin with could the new combination work. =


The new combination could work only if the two designs were extremely similar to begin with.

Only is the key to inversion; it joins the negative i
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Ah... that is really good to know! Thank you.

Q1) Inversion occurs when a negative or restrictive word such as not, never, seldom, scarecely, little, rarely etc. begins a sentence, doesn't it? Is there anything you can think of about inversion?

Q2) The reason inversion is used is to emphasise? or for literature? and...?
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Q1) Inversion occurs when a negative or restrictive word such as not, never, seldom, scarecely, little, rarely etc. begins a sentence, doesn't it? Is there anything you can think of about inversion?-- No. I usually just think about girls.

Q2) The reason inversion is used is to emphasise? or for literature? -- Yes, these two nowadays. And formal writing in general.
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Oh... it's interesting to hear 'I usually just think about girls.' Does it mean when you see or hear inverted sentences, you think that's so girlish?
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No, I just don't think much about grammar. I think about girls.
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