INVERT THE SUBJECT AND VERB WITH NEGATIVES
May be you think that English is a little bit difficult, especially for non-native speakers. But, it doesn’t mean that it is impossible to be learnt. Do you agree with me? :D. Okay, the intermezzo is enough. Now, let’s start the discussion again. I hope you don’t feel bored with this all.
In English, the subject and verb can also be inverted. But there should be in a certain condition to invert this subject and verb. The condition is after certain negatives and related expressions. The subject and verb are inverted when negative expressions (no, not, or never) come at the beginning of a sentence
1. Not once did Freddy make a problem.
2. Never has Mrs. Allen made a problem.
3. At no time can the kid talk on the phone.
Look at the first example above. The negative expression not once causes the subject Freddy to come after the helping verb did.
Now, take a look at the second example.
There is a negative word never that causes the subjectMrs. Allen to come after the helping verb has.
In the third example, the negative expression at no time causes the subject woman to come after the helping verb can.
There are some words that act like negatives in English like hardly, barely, scarcely, and only.
If one of these words comes at the beginning of a sentence, the subject and verb are also inverted.
Hardly ever does my girlfriend takes time off.
(This means that my girlfriend almost never takes time off.)
Only once did Jones issue overtime paychecks.
(This means that Jones almost never issued overtime paychecks.)
Look at the first example. You should know that there is an “almost negative” expression hardly ever that causes the subject he to come after the helping verb does.
In the second example, there also an “almost negative” expression only once that caused the subject manager to come after the helping verb did.
The subject and verb are also can be inverted when a negative expression appears in front of a subject and verb in the middle of a sentence. Sometimes, this happens with the negative words neither and nor. Look at the example below:
Sally does not want to go, and neither does Jack.
My wife is not joining the party, nor is my step sister.
In the first example above, the negative neither causes the subject Jack to come after the helping verb does.
In the second example, the negative nor causes the subject my wife to come after the verb is.
Take a look at the following example:
In the example above, sentence begins with the negative only. So, there should be an inverted subject and a verb.
The best answer is (D)
Analysis:
· Answer (D) contains a correctly inverted subject and verb, with the helping verb will, the subject printing presses, and the main verb be.
T
Now, look at the following chart:
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