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FallenOne Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Why do we need inversion here?
Hello.
"Only then was I able to understand the situation". What would it be if I said "Only then I was able to.."? I know it's must be incorrect but I can't understand why. Are there any examples of situations that require inversion?
Thank you!
"Only then was I able to understand the situation". What would it be if I said "Only then I was able to.."? I know it's must be incorrect but I can't understand why. Are there any examples of situations that require inversion?
Thank you!
Top answer
I have a feeling it's more convention than rule. Waiting for someone to prove me wrong, which is entirely possible.
- I have a feeling it's more convention than rule.
- Waiting for someone to prove me wrong, which is entirely possible.
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12 Answers
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I have a feeling it's more convention than rule.
Waiting for someone to prove me wrong, which is entirely possible.
Waiting for someone to prove me wrong, which is entirely possible.
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Hi,
Inversion is used to emphasize the meaning of a sentence.
Therefore, it is commonly used after expressions such as only then, only after, little and never.
We say "only then was I able to understand the situation" to emphasize the time aspect that highly influenced
the understanding of things.
Let's take another example:
Never should you go
Inversion is used to emphasize the meaning of a sentence.
Therefore, it is commonly used after expressions such as only then, only after, little and never.
We say "only then was I able to understand the situation" to emphasize the time aspect that highly influenced
the understanding of things.
Let's take another example:
Never should you go
00
Okay, I got you but would that be a mistake if I said that sentence without using inversion? "Something began working only after I fixed that". Thank you so very much for replying!
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FallenOne"Only then was I able to understand the situation".This is one of the few cases of inversion that remain in English. Inversion for other reasons has been retained in other Germanic languages such as Swedish. If a negative word or a restrictive word such as not, never, seldom, only etc. begins a sentence, inversion occurs in the main clause
00
Hi,
Your sentence is correct.
You're not obligated to use inversion in any case. Frankly, nowadays people tend to speak without using inversion.
I believe it's most likely to be used in written English. Therefore, if you're unsure with using inversion properly,
then avoid using it.
Regards
Your sentence is correct.
You're not obligated to use inversion in any case. Frankly, nowadays people tend to speak without using inversion.
I believe it's most likely to be used in written English. Therefore, if you're unsure with using inversion properly,
then avoid using it.
Regards
00
RegardsHi,This refers to this post:
Your sentence is correct.
You're not obligated to use inversion in any case. Frankly, nowadays people tend to speak without using inversion.
I believe it's most likely to be used in written English. Therefore, if you're unsure with using inversion properly,
then avoid using it.
Regards
"Oka
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FallenOneOkay, I got you but would that be a mistake if I said that sentence without using inversion? "Something began working only after I fixed that". Thank you so very much for replying!Inversion isn't needed in your sentence because only doesn't begin the sentence. The first clause in the sentence is Something began working and t
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Oh, thank you all! But would that sounds bad to your ears if I said : "Only then I was able to understand the situation". Is that considered a mistake?
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