The Grand Canyon

Hi guys. Dan from BBC learning English here. This week we’re going to be studying inversion after negative or limiting adverbs. Sounds confusing, doesn’t it? But don’t worry, it’s actually really, really simple. We can explain the whole thing in only 90 seconds, as usual. Are you ready? Here we go.

Now, have you ever been to The Grand Canyon?

I have. It was the most spectacular thing I’ve ever seen. Seriously. Never had I seen such a wonder.

Never had I seen is an example of inversion. Not sure what I’m talking about? Come here and let me show you.

So, normally we would say: I had never seen such a wonder. But with inversion we move the adverb to the beginning of the sentence, and then we switch the subject and auxiliary verb. Never had I seen such a wonder.

This is done for formailty, for drama or for emphasis. Would you like another example? Come over here.

Rarely would I go home again after what happened. The same applies, guys. We move the adverb to the beginning of the sentence, and then we switch the subject and the auxiliary verb. Rarely would I go home again after what happened.

Now, come over here to the third space. To the third space.

I hardly ever smoke.

This sentence is in the present simple. The same is true as we did before. We move the adverbial phrase to the beginning of the sentence, and then we have to add the auxiliary verb before we switch the subject and the auxiliary.

Hardly ever do I smoke.

There are lots of other adverbials, and you can find information about this and everything that I’ve talked about on our website at www.bbclearningenglish.com.

I’m out of time guys, I have to go. Dan from BBC Learning English signing off.