inversion...

[nautes20]

Hi,

I'd like to know the usage about "inversion".

ex)
Not until he received her letter did he fully understand the depth of her feelings.
Not far from here you can see foxes.

I learned that the word order after negative expressions is "auxillary+subject".

Why does the second example have "subject + auxillary verb"?

Best regards...

 

[Casiopea]

Hi,

I'd like to know the usage about "inversion".

ex)
Not until he received her letter did he fully understand the depth of her feelings.
Not far from here you can see foxes.

I learned that the word order after negative expressions is "auxillary+subject".

Why does the second example have "subject + auxillary verb"?

Best regards...

Inversion is optional with introduction adverbials:

You can see foxes not far from here. (Adverb)
Not far from here you can see foxes. (Adverb without inversion)
Not far from here can you see foxes. (Adverb with inversion)

Click here to learn more about the 18 different kinds of subject-verb inversions in English.

 

[nautes20]

Hi, Casiopea...

Thanks for your answer.

I have read the site you recommanded.

I think the question I asked is sorted into the type of "negative intro"
In this case question form is obligatory.

But you said this case is optional.

Best regards...

 

[Casiopea]

Hi, Casiopea...

Thanks for your answer.

I have read the site you recommanded.

I think the question I asked is sorted into the type of "negative intro"
In this case question form is obligatory.

But you said this case is optional.

Best regards...

Yes. I saw that, too, and wondered about it as well, that is until I realized its adverbial function overrides its introductory function. :wink: Note, we can move it around without changing the meaning of the sentence. That tells us that it's more of an adverb than it is an introductory comment.

 

[nautes20]

Hi, Casiopea...

I don't understand this part in your answer.

"Note, we can move it around without changing the meaning of the sentence. That tells us that it's more of an adverb than it is an introductory comment."

Please explain it in easier way...

Gratefully yours...

 

[Casiopea]

Hi, Casiopea...

I don't understand this part in your answer.

"Note, we can move it around without changing the meaning of the sentence. That tells us that it's more of an adverb than it is an introductory comment."

Please explain it in easier way...

Gratefully yours...

All these sentences have a negative introduction:

Never do I sleep.
In no way could I help you.
Not until I got home did I realize that my shoes were untied.
Only at night can I study.
Not far from here can you see foxes.

A negative intro can be moved around:

I can study only at night.
You can see foxes not far from here.

According to the rules of Inversion, inverting the subject and the verb is optional if the negative intro is an adverb. So you see, even though 'not far from here' function as both a negative intro and as adverb, the fact that we can move it around tells us it's an adverb and optional.

 

[nautes20]

Dear Casiopea,

"That tells us that it's more of an adverb than it is an introductory comment."

Ypu mean"There is a change in meaning if it is an introductory comment"?

Gratefully Yours...

 

[nautes20]

An additional question...

"Only at night I can study" is possible?

Sincerely yours...

 

[Casiopea]

Dear Casiopea,

"That tells us that it's more of an adverb than it is an introductory comment."

You mean"There is a change in meaning if it is an introductory comment"?

Gratefully Yours...

With our example, "No far from here you can see foxes", the neg intro 'Not far from here' is added information, we can move it around without changing the basic meaning of the sentence:

You can see foxes not far from here.

Take another example,

Not until he finished dinner did he go for a walk.

The underlined portion is not added information; it's required information. If we move it around, we change the meaning of the sentence,

He did go for a walk not until he finished dinner. (Odd)

 

[nautes20]

Re: Thanks a lot!!!

 

[Casiopea]

Re: Thanks a lot!!!

You're welcome.