Inversion for Emphasis - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

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KS3 · Grammar

Y9.1 Inversion for Emphasis

Calculators not allowed · about 50 minutes
Name: _______________________________    Date: ____ / ____ / ______
Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.
1
Are the following statements about inversion for emphasis TRUE or FALSE?
(a)Inversion for emphasis reverses the normal subject-before-auxiliary word order for stylistic effect.(1)
  • True
  • False
(b)Any adverb, including 'often' or 'usually', can be fronted to trigger inversion.(1)
  • True
  • False
(c)In the sentence 'Rarely does the tide reach this high,' the word 'does' has been added because there is no other auxiliary verb in the original sentence.(1)
  • True
  • False
(d)Inversion for emphasis is a feature mainly associated with casual, everyday conversation.(1)
  • True
  • False
(e)'Not only' must usually be balanced later in the sentence by a word such as 'but' or 'also'.(1)
  • True
  • False
(f)Conditional sentences can sometimes be inverted so that 'if' is dropped altogether, for example 'Had I known...'(1)
  • True
  • False
2
In each pair, identify which sentence uses inversion for emphasis.
(a)A) Rarely does the tide reach this high. B) The tide rarely reaches this high.(1)
  • A
  • B
(b)A) I have never tasted such a spicy curry. B) Never have I tasted such a spicy curry.(1)
  • A
  • B
(c)A) No sooner had the bell rung than the students rushed out. B) The bell had no sooner rung than the students rushed out.(1)
  • A
  • B
(d)A) Not only was the exam difficult, but it was also unfairly long. B) The exam was not only difficult, but it was also unfairly long.(1)
  • A
  • B
3
For each sentence, identify (i) the fronted adverbial and (ii) the auxiliary verb that has been inverted with the subject.
(a)Never before had the town experienced such flooding.(2)
(b)Rarely does the museum stay open this late.(2)
(c)Not only did the team win the match, but they also broke the league record.(2)
(d)Under no circumstances should you open that door.(2)
4
Sort the word bank below into the correct column of the table. Each item belongs in ONE column only.

Word bank: never, rarely, seldom, not only, under no circumstances, on no account, had, were, should
Frequency (negative)Restriction / additionConditional (no 'if')
(9)
5
Which of these words would NOT normally trigger inversion when placed at the front of a sentence for emphasis?
  • A) Never
  • B) Often
  • C) Rarely
  • D) Seldom
6
Choose the auxiliary verb that correctly completes each inverted sentence.
(a)Seldom ___ we experienced such generosity.(1)
  • A) do
  • B) have
  • C) did
(b)Rarely ___ the choir sing so beautifully.(1)
  • A) does
  • B) do
  • C) did
(c)Not only ___ she pass the exam, but she also achieved the top mark.(1)
  • A) does
  • B) did
  • C) has
(d)No sooner ___ the rain stopped than the sun came out.(1)
  • A) had
  • B) has
  • C) did
7
Rewrite each sentence so that it uses inversion, fronting the adverbial given.
(a)Adverbial: 'Never'. Sentence: 'I have never met someone so determined.'(2)
(b)Adverbial: 'Rarely'. Sentence: 'The library is rarely this quiet.'(2)
(c)Adverbial: 'Not only...but also'. Sentences: 'The volcano erupted violently. It also destroyed the village.'(2)
(d)Adverbial: 'No sooner...than'. Sentences: 'The concert started. The lights failed.'(2)
8
Rewrite each sentence using conditional inversion, dropping 'if' altogether.
(a)If I had known about the delay, I would have left earlier.(2)
(b)If she were to arrive early, she could help set up.(2)
(c)If you should need any help, contact reception.(2)
9
Rewrite this sentence using inversion, fronting the word 'Rarely': 'The manager rarely praises the staff this warmly.'
(2)
10
Combine each pair of simple sentences into ONE sentence using the inverted structure given.
(a)Structure: 'No sooner...than'. Sentences: 'The plane landed. The passengers began to applaud.'(2)
(b)Structure: 'Hardly...when'. Sentences: 'The film started. The power went out.'(2)
11
Explain the effect on the reader of the inversion in this sentence: 'Never before had the villagers witnessed such devastation.'
(2)
12
Compare these two sentences: 'The storm was so fierce that trees were uprooted.' and 'So fierce was the storm that trees were uprooted.' Explain one effect of fronting 'so fierce' in the second version.
(2)
13
Combine these two simple sentences into ONE sentence using 'So...that' inversion: 'The lecture was extremely boring. Several students fell asleep.'
(2)
14
Each sentence below contains an inversion error. Identify and correct each one.
(a)Never I have seen such dedication.(2)
(b)Rarely he complains about the weather.(2)
(c)Not only she finished first, but she also set a new record.(2)
15
Identify and correct the error in this sentence: 'Under no circumstances you should feed the animals.'
(2)
16
Below is a paragraph with several errors involving inversion for emphasis. Rewrite it correctly, correcting every error you can find.

'never had we seen such a spectacular display of fireworks. rarely we experience a night like it. hardly the first rocket had launched when the whole sky lit up gold. not only the display lasted an hour, it also ended with a huge starburst that lit up the entire village.'
(6)
17
Write THREE original sentences using inversion for emphasis, one for each category below.
(a)A sentence using a NEGATIVE FREQUENCY adverbial (never, rarely or seldom).(2)
(b)A sentence using a RESTRICTION or ADDITION structure ('not only... but also' or 'under no circumstances').(2)
(c)A CONDITIONAL sentence with 'if' dropped (had, were or should).(2)
18
Write a short paragraph (approximately 80-100 words) describing an unexpected event (for example a surprise visitor, a sudden change in weather, or an unusual discovery). Your writing must include: one inversion using a negative frequency adverbial (never, rarely or seldom), one inversion using 'not only... but also', and one conditional inversion with 'if' dropped (had, were or should). Underline each of the three required features in your answer.
(10)
Mark scheme · Y9.1 Inversion for Emphasis

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10

Question 11

Question 12

Question 13

Question 14

Question 15

Question 16

Question 17

Question 18