Lecture 16: Inverted sentences

16.1 What is inversion?

What is inversion

Basic Concepts of Inversion:
This is to reverse the normal order of a sentence;
Subject-predicate inversion:
In graduate English exams, you only need to master "subject-verb inversion," where the order of subject and predicate is reversed, meaning the finite verb is placed before the subject;
Two types of inversion:
Full inversion: the entire finite verb phrase appears before the subject;
Partial inversion: an auxiliary appears before the subject while the lexical verb remains after it;

Examples

Among the 10 worst performers were some of the most populous states, including Texas, which was given the lowest grade (F) and has a disproportionate influence......
most populous states: the most populous states;
were is the finite verb. The opening prepositional phrase is not the subject; the subject is some of the most populous states;
The full finite verb precedes the subject, creating full inversion. The structure:
1. Connecting the previous and following lines, introducing the content of the subordinate clause;
2. Gives prominence to the opening Among ... phrase;
Implicit within Tylor's definition is the concept…
Implicit: included within...;
is is the linking finite verb;
Here, the concept is the subject, and the finite verb is has been placed before it in an inverted structure;
Also unclear is why Microsoft has gone it alone.
Emphasize unclear, so place 'Also unclear' first: 'Highlight unclear';

Important sentence patterns: There be + noun

Meaning: existence
The there be construction expresses that something exists; it does not express possession.
Concept:
Existential there is a dummy subject; the following noun phrase is the notional subject;
There is a girl states existence, whereas A girl is there normally identifies location;
There is a book on the table: objectively expressing an existence with a book on the table;

Extended sentence pattern: There be + noun + prepositional phrase

Meaning of expression: expresses location or scope
Example:
There is a great deal of this kind of nonsense in the medical journals…
Prepositional phrase;
In some instances, there is absolutely no relationship between the content of the article and the citations.
Use between to indicate the range;
There will now be a seven-day wait for the jobseeker's allowance.
now: indicates the current stage;
There has been a kind of inflationary process at work…
…. But there have been controversial views about its economic. Political, social and cultural implications.
There may be more matches in the database..
Combined modal: there may be
Supplement: Be can combine tense and modal

Concept

Part before the subject, part at the back;
How to select and perform partial inversion?
The word order resembles that of a yes–no question;
Do you like it?
you like it. -> Do you like it?
He likes eating. -> Does he like eating?
Yes–no questions use subject–auxiliary inversion;
Method: Front the auxiliary before the subject; if there is no auxiliary, add the appropriate form of do;

Scenario 1: The negative adverb or phrase is at the beginning of a sentence

Negative word: words that express a negative meaning;
Example:
... And perhaps it has never served so much to connect different peoples and nations before.
never before: Never before
Inversion: .... And perhaps never before has it served so much to connect different peoples and nations as in the recent events in Europe.

Scenario 2: An only phrase is fronted

Example:
They will be useful servants and not Frankenstein's out-of-control monster only then.
Inversion: Only then will they be useful servants and not Frankenstein's out-of-control monster.

Scenario 3: The hypothetical conditional omits if