The Grammaring Guide to English Grammar with Exercises

Exercises: inversion

Inversion - Exercise 1

Fill in the gaps with so or neither/nor + auxiliary + subject to express agreement. The subjects are given in brackets.

"We were laughing all throughout the movie." "..." (we)

"My children don't like vegetables." "..." (mine)

Everyone agreed that we should walk on, and ... (Andrei)

"I've never eaten sushi before." "..." (I)

I can't drive, and ... (my husband)

"I'm really curious what he's going to do!" "..." (I)

"I have flu." "..." (my aunt)

"Helen wouldn't come even if we invited her." "..." (Harry)

More city dwellers should collect waste selectively, and ... (you)

"Ted is still single." "..." (most of his colleagues)

Inversion - Exercise 2

Complete each sentence with a suitable question tag or echo tag.

Stop talking, ... ?

A: "I'm terribly hungry."

B: " ... ?"

This is not very useful, ... ?

Nothing compares to a good bath after a hard day, ... ?

A: "You are funny."

B: " ... ?"

Let's take a taxi, ... ?

Your camera has no internal autofocus motor, ... ?

It's been ages, ... ?

You won't be late, ... ?

This parrot has beautiful plumage, ... ?

Inversion - Exercise 3

Match the two halves of each sentence.

Hardly had the lecture begun ...

Away into the distance ...

No sooner had I pressed Send ...

Not only did he write the lyrics, ...

Under no circumstances ...

Hardly had they walked a mile ...

In no way ...

No sooner had we dried off ...

Only if you work hard ...

Not only can she speak English and French fluently, ...

than it started raining again.

are we to be held responsible for any damages caused by improper use of the device.

but he composed the music too.

floated the balloon.

when they caught sight of the ruins of an old castle.

should a teacher use rude language in the classroom.

than I realized I had chosen Reply to all.

when someone's phone went off.

but she can also translate well.

will you be successful as a salesperson.

Inversion - Exercise 4

Decide if the following sentences are correct or incorrect.

No sooner had I locked the door when I realised I didn't have my wallet with me.

"Can you tell me where you've been?" asked he.

So you have a new Maserati, haven't you?

Would you have done the same?

Only can you solve your problem.

Here we go.

She should be here by now, shouldn't she?

Little she understands how life works.

Stefan doesn't like horror films, and neither likes his girlfriend.

I am being stupid, aren't I?

Inversion - Exercise 5

Discuss the following topics in pairs or groups. Express your surprise or interest at whatever your partner says. Example:

A: I love watching horror movies.

B: Do you?

A: Yes, they are very exciting.

B: Are they?

What are the best ways to get in shape before the summer?

What would be the ideal romantic evening for you?

What's the longest time you have ever spent without sleeping?

How often do you visit your doctor?

What kind of parties do you like?

What's the most frightening experience you have ever had?

Where do you think you will be living in ten years' time?

What kind of films do you like watching?

What advice would you give someone who is planning to learn English?

Have you ever had an accident? How did it happen?