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GrammarRule Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Using "inversion" correctly
Hello!
Is it necessary to use inversion in sentences like these:
1. Not until now/only now (did) I realize what he meant.
2. Only then (did) I realize what he meant.
Or can you just say:
1. Not until now/only now I realized what he meant.
2. Only then I realized what he meant.
Thank you in advance!
Is it necessary to use inversion in sentences like these:
1. Not until now/only now (did) I realize what he meant.
2. Only then (did) I realize what he meant.
Or can you just say:
1. Not until now/only now I realized what he meant.
2. Only then I realized what he meant.
Thank you in advance!
Top answer
Inversion is needed. If you talk about the past, you can't say now, you have to say then: Only then did I realize what he meant. The present tense is usually used with now: Only now do I realize what he means .
- Inversion is needed.
- If you talk about the past, you can't say now, you have to say then: Only then did I realize what he meant.
- The present tense is usually used with now: Only now do I realize what he means .
- Note that inversion occurs in the main clause only: Only when I saw his face did I realize how happy he was.
- Not: Only when did I see his face ...
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2 Answers
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Inversion is needed. If you talk about the past, you can't say now, you have to say then: Only then did I realize what he meant.
The present tense is usually used with now: Only now do I realize what he means.
Note that inversion occurs in the main clause only: Only when I saw his face did I realize how happy he was. Not:
The present tense is usually used with now: Only now do I realize what he means.
Note that inversion occurs in the main clause only: Only when I saw his face did I realize how happy he was. Not:
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