Inverted Word Order Tutorial

Inverted Word Order: Tutorial

Unlike the traditional rule, subject verb order, in certain situations a verb precedes a subject. Inverted word order is used in the following.

*Example of Inverted Word Order Errors*

1)	When sentences begin with negative words such as rarely, never, hardly ever, the auxiliary verb precedes the subject.

	Wrong	Never I will see her again.
	Right	Never will I see her again.

2)	The auxiliary verb precedes the subject in abridged (shortened) clauses.

	Wrong	We live is Santa Monica, and she does so.
	Right	We live is Santa Monica, and so does she.

3)	When the word "only " precedes the words if, once, then, after, before or other adverbial clauses or phrases, the verb precedes the subject in the independent clause.

	Wrong	Only before the show starts, you can enter the room.
	Right	Only before the show starts, can you enter the room.

	Wrong	Only if he gets a job, he will pay his tuition.
	Right	Only if he gets a job, will he pay his tuition.

4)	In the transposed word order used after a prepositional phrase of place (up, down, in, out, etc.) the verb or the object precedes the subject.

	Wrong	Up the hill a white castle sits.
	Right	Up the hill sits a white castle.