Form
Negative word / phrase at the start + auxiliary + subject + verb (like a question)
| Normal order | Emphatic order |
|---|
| I have never seen such a mess. | Never have I seen such a mess. |
| He rarely complains. | Rarely does he complain. |
| She not only sings but also dances. | Not only does she sing, but she also dances. |
| I had hardly sat down when the phone rang. | Hardly had I sat down when the phone rang. |
Use
- Never, rarely, seldom, little, barely, scarcely, hardly: Never have I been so happy. Little did she know.
- No sooner ... than / hardly ... when: No sooner had we left than it rained.
- Not only ... but also: Not only was the food bad, but the service was terrible.
- Not until / only after / only when / only by / only then: Not until midnight did he come home. Only then did I realize my mistake.
- Under no circumstances, on no account, at no time, in no way, nowhere, not once: Under no circumstances should you open this door.
- So / such: So tired was she that she fell asleep. Such was his anger that he left.
Watch out
- If there is no auxiliary, add do / does / did and use the base verb:
Rarely does he complains → Rarely does he complain. Never I have seen → Never have I seen.- No sooner ... than, but hardly / barely / scarcely ... when.
- It is formal and for emphasis, mostly in writing and speeches.
En español
Inversión por énfasis: al empezar con una expresión negativa (never, rarely, hardly, not only...) se invierte el orden como en una pregunta: Never have I seen... = Nunca he visto... (más enfático).
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