LONGMAN ENGLISH GRAMMAR PRACTICE

7.8 Viewpoint adverbs, connecting adverbs and inversion

7.8C Inversion after 'negative adverbs', etc. [> LEG 7.59, App 19]

Study: Some adverbs like never and little have a 'negative effect' and we sometimes refer to them as
'negative adverbs'. We can use them in the ordinary way [> 7.4]:
I have never seen so much protest against a government.
Michael little realizes how important this meeting is.

If we begin a sentence with a 'negative adverb' we must follow with the word order we use in a

Yes/No question [> 13.1]. Beginning with a negative is very formal:

Never have I seen so much protest against a government.

Little does Michael realize how important this meeting is.

We use this kind of inversion, in formal style, after:

• 'negative adverbs': e.g. hardly, hardly ever, never, rarely, seldom.


• phrases with only. e.g. only after, only then, only when (Only then did I learn...).


• so + adjective: So difficult was this problem, Einstein couldn't solve it.

Write: Rewrite these sentences so that they begin with the words in italics.

1 There has never been such a display of strength by the workers.

. Кшг.r. No4. Шш.-Нт. аш>Н<. .^щищ. .of.. ÁümqM.. Лу. M¿. лшпш..
2 I realized what had happened only later.

3 You shouldn't sign the document on any account.

On no account

4 You shouldn't answer the door when I'm out in any circumstances.

In no circumstances

5 The papyrus was so old, we didn't dare to touch it.

7.8D Context

Write: Put in the right verb form and these adverbs: according to, agreeably, however, in brief, moreover or

ultimately.

DON'T ASK FOR A ROOM WITH A VIEW!

So high^1 (be) kf. the price of land in Tokyo, that its land

area probably costs as much as the whole of California. Never, in any

place in the world, (there be)^2 such a demand for

space!^3 a newspaper report, this lack of space has

led to 'capsule hotels'. The rooms are just capsules, measuring 1 metre

high, 76 cms wide and 2 metres deep.^4 you will be

(^5) surprised to hear that they are equipped with
phones, radio and TV.^6 they are less expensive than
ordinary hotels.^7 they provide you with all you need
for a comfortable night's sleep, even if they don't give you an automatic
wash and dry as well!^8 some people would argue, a
small hole in the wall is preferable to a big hole in your pocket! But don't
ask for a room with a view!
Don't ask tor a room with a view!