inversion for adverb phrase

[keannu]

When inversion happens with adverb phrase, 1 and 3 has the form of verb+subject, but 2 has subject+verb. Is it because "he" is a pronoun? or isn't there any fixed rule for inversion?

1. My cell phone was under the table.
-> Under the table was my cell phone.
2. He stood at the door
-> At the door he stood.
3. A helicoptor passed right over our heads.
-> Right over our heads passed a helicoptor.

 

[bhaisahab]

When inversion happens with adverb phrase, 1 and 3 has the form of verb+subject, but 2 has subject+verb. Is it because "he" is a pronoun? or isn't there any fixed rule for inversion?

1. My cell phone was under the table.
-> Under the table was my cell phone.
2. He stood at the door
-> At the door he stood.
3. A helicoptor passed right over our heads.
-> Right over our heads passed a helicopter.

"2. He stood at the door
-> At the door he stood." Why not "At the door stood he"? Mind you, neither version is very likely in everyday English.

 

[keannu]

You mean these are all possible.
Under the table was my cell phone => Under the table my cell phone was
Right over our heads passed a helicopter.=> Right over our heads a helicopter passed

Then, what's the difference between the two? I think the purpose of inversion is to emphasize what comes first, isn't it?
At the door he stood.: emphasizing he?
At the door stood.he : emphsizing stood?

 

[BobSmith]

You mean these are all possible. ...

Yes, though in each case, I would reverse those phrases, i.e. "A helicopter passed right over our heads." Though, I understand this is not your original question.

Then, what's the difference between the two? I think the purpose of inversion is to emphasize what comes first, isn't it?
At the door he stood.: emphasizing he?
At the door stood.he : emphsizing stood?

Actually, you have this backwards, IMO

[not a teacher]

 

[emsr2d2]

Y
Then, what's the difference between the two? I think the purpose of inversion is to emphasize what comes first, isn't it?
At the door he stood.: emphasizing he?
At the door stood.he : emphsizing stood?

I agree with Bob Smith that you have that back-to-front.

"At the door he stood" emphasises what he was doing.
What did he do at the door?
He stood.
At the door he stood.

"At the door stood he" emphasises who.
Who stood at the door?
He did.
At the door stood he.

 

[hoangkha]

[not a teacher]
According to PEU by Micheal Swan
1- If the subject is a noun.
- A girl stood at the door.-------> At the door stood a girl.(not At the door a girl stood. )

2-If the subject is a pronoun.
- He stood at the door.--------> At the door he stood .(not At the door stood he.)

 

[5jj]

At the door stood he.

That sounds most unnatural to me.

 

[emsr2d2]

That sounds most unnatural to me.

Me too!

 

[bhaisahab]

Me too!

Yes, I agree.

 

[Barb_D]

It sounds like it is part of a nursery rhyme.

A little gray mouse came to my door
And right at the door stood he.
And he looked, and he looked, and he looked at me.
At me and my kitty cats three.

I mean, I just made that up, but it has that feel to it, doesn't it?

 

[bhaisahab]

It sounds like it is part of a nursery rhyme.

A little gray mouse came to my door
And right at the door stood he.
And he looked, and he looked, and he looked at me.
At me and my kitty cats three.

I mean, I just made that up, but it has that feel to it, doesn't it?

Exactly! Thank you!

 

[BobSmith]

It sounds like it is part of a nursery rhyme.

A little gray mouse came to my door
And right at the door stood he.
And he looked, and he looked, and he looked [STRIKE]at me.[/STRIKE] some more.
At me and my kitty cats three.

I mean, I just made that up, but it has that feel to it, doesn't it?

I have no right to do that except <shrug> I did