Mastering Inversion after “So,” “Such,” “Nor,” “Neither,” and “Either”

In English grammar, inversion refers to reversing the typical word order of a sentence, often placing the verb before the subject. While inversion is commonly used in questions, it also plays a significant role in emphasizing statements, especially after words like “so,” “such,” “nor,” “neither,” and “either.”

Why Use Inversion?

• Emphasis: Highlighting a particular part of the sentence.
• Stylistic Effect: Adding variety and sophistication to your language.
• Formality: Conveying a more formal tone, suitable for academic writing and formal speeches.

Understanding how and when to use inversion can make your communication more dynamic and engaging.

Inversion after “So”

Structure and Usage

When “so” is used at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis, it triggers inversion. This structure emphasizes the extent or degree of an adjective or adverb.

Standard Structure:

• Subject + Verb + so + Adjective/Adverb + that + Result Clause

Inverted Structure:

• So + Adjective/Adverb + Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main Verb + that + Result Clause

Example:

• Standard: The crowd was so loud that we couldn’t hear ourselves think.
• Inverted: So loud was the crowd that we couldn’t hear ourselves think.

Examples

1. So delicious was the meal that we asked for seconds.
2. So swiftly did she complete the task that everyone was amazed.
3. So high were the stakes that we couldn’t afford any mistakes.

Keywords Used: so

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect Word Order:
  • Incorrect: So was loud the crowd that we couldn’t hear ourselves think.
  • Correct: So loud was the crowd that we couldn’t hear ourselves think.
• Omitting the Auxiliary Verb:
  • Incorrect: So loud the crowd that we couldn’t hear ourselves think.
  • Correct: So loud was the crowd that we couldn’t hear ourselves think.

Inversion after “Such”

Structure and Usage

When “such” is placed at the beginning of a sentence, it leads to inversion, emphasizing the intensity or extent of a noun phrase.

Standard Structure:

• It was such a/an + Adjective + Noun + that + Result Clause

Inverted Structure:

• Such a/an + Adjective + Noun + Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main Verb + that + Result Clause

Example:

• Standard: It was such an extraordinary event that people talked about it for weeks.
• Inverted: Such an extraordinary event was it that people talked about it for weeks.

Examples

1. Such was the excitement that the news spread rapidly.
2. Such a challenging puzzle was it that only a few solved it.
3. Such were the circumstances that we had to postpone the meeting.

Keywords Used: such

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect Placement of “Such”:
  • Incorrect: Such was it an extraordinary event that people talked about it.
  • Correct: Such an extraordinary event was it that people talked about it.
• Missing Auxiliary Verb:
  • Incorrect: Such an extraordinary event it that people talked about it.
  • Correct: Such an extraordinary event was it that people talked about it.

Inversion after “Neither” and “Nor”

Structure and Usage

“Neither” and “nor” introduce negative additions to previous statements and are followed by inversion. This structure emphasizes agreement in the negative.

Standard Structure:

• Subject + Auxiliary Verb + not + Main Verb, and Subject + Auxiliary Verb + not + Main Verb + either.

Inverted Structure:

• Statement, neither/nor + Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main Verb.

Example with “Neither”:

• Standard: She doesn’t enjoy hiking, and he doesn’t enjoy it either.
• Inverted: She doesn’t enjoy hiking, neither does he.

Examples with “Neither”

1. The manager wasn’t pleased, neither were the employees.
2. She can’t attend the meeting, neither can her assistant.
3. They haven’t decided on a date, neither have we.

Keywords Used: neither

Examples with “Nor”

1. He doesn’t own a car, nor does he have a driver’s license.
2. The proposal wasn’t accepted, nor was it discussed further.
3. They didn’t see the warning signs, nor did they hear the alarms.

Keywords Used: nor

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect Auxiliary Verb Placement:
  • Incorrect: Neither he does.
  • Correct: Neither does he.
• Using “Either” Incorrectly:
  • Incorrect: She doesn’t enjoy hiking, either does he.
  • Correct: She doesn’t enjoy hiking, neither does he.

Using “Either” in Negative Contexts

Structure and Usage

While “either” doesn’t trigger inversion like “neither” and “nor,” it is essential in negative contexts to express agreement without inversion.

Standard Structure:

• Subject + Auxiliary Verb + not + Main Verb + Object, and Subject + Auxiliary Verb + not + Main Verb + Object + either.

Example:

• She doesn’t like coffee, and he doesn’t like it either.

Examples

1. They aren’t attending the seminar, and we aren’t either.
2. She can’t solve the puzzle, and I can’t either.
3. He hasn’t received the package, and his neighbor hasn’t either.
4. We don’t have tickets, and they don’t either.
5. The cat won’t come inside, and the dog won’t either.

Keywords Used: either

Common Mistakes

• Attempting Inversion with “Either”:
  • Incorrect: She doesn’t like coffee, either does he.
  • Correct: She doesn’t like coffee, and he doesn’t like it either.

Combining Inversions for Emphasis

Examples

Advanced speakers often combine multiple inversion structures for dramatic effect.

Example 1:

• So intense was the debate that such was the tension in the room; neither side would concede, nor would they compromise.

Keywords Used: so, such, neither, nor

Example 2:

• Such was the complexity of the puzzle that so baffled were the participants; neither could they solve it, nor could they understand it.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Overusing Inversion

While inversion adds emphasis, overusing it can make your language sound unnatural.

• Tip: Use inversion selectively for key points.

Incorrect Word Order

Ensure the adjective or noun phrase follows “so” or “such,” and the auxiliary verb comes before the subject.

• Incorrect: So was high the mountain that we couldn’t climb it.
• Correct: So high was the mountain that we couldn’t climb it.

Confusing “Neither” and “Either”

Remember that “neither” triggers inversion, while “either” does not.

• Incorrect with “either”: He doesn’t like tea, either does she.
• Correct with “neither”: He doesn’t like tea, neither does she.
• Correct with “either”: He doesn’t like tea, and she doesn’t either.

Omitting Auxiliary Verbs

Always include the auxiliary verb in the inverted structure.

• Incorrect: So beautiful the sunset that we watched silently.
• Correct: So beautiful was the sunset that we watched silently.

Conclusion

Mastering inversion after “so,” “such,” “nor,” “neither,” and “either” is a vital step toward achieving advanced English proficiency. These structures enable you to:

• Emphasize Key Points: Highlight important aspects of your message.
• Enhance Stylistic Quality: Add variety and sophistication to your language.
• Convey Formality: Suit your communication to formal contexts.

By practicing these inversion structures, you’ll find them becoming a natural part of your speech and writing, allowing you to speak like a native with confidence and flair.