12 NEGATIVE INVERSION
Negative inversion is used in writing, not in speaking. Some negative adverbs can cause an inversion (reversed order: the auxiliary verb before the subject):
Never had he been so worried and agitated.
Seldom have courage and personal responsibility been more needed.
Other adverbs and adverbial expressions that can be used like this:
seldom
scarcely
hardly
not only
but also
no sooner
than
not until
under no circumstances
I have never seen such courage. - Never have I seen such courage.
She rarely left the house. - Rarely did she leave the house.
Negative inversion is used in writing, not in speaking. Some negative adverbs can cause an inversion (reversed order: the auxiliary verb before the subject):
Never had he been so worried and agitated.
Seldom have courage and personal responsibility been more needed.
Other adverbs and adverbial expressions that can be used like this:
seldom
scarcely
hardly
not only
but also
no sooner
than
not until
under no circumstances
I have never seen such courage. - Never have I seen such courage.
She rarely left the house. - Rarely did she leave the house.
