Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
state of not being at war; silence; quietness; tranquility
letterhead
arrival
peace
tour
full quiz correct answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   Album   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

question about "Inversion"



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
What does trade reference mean? | What does 'Be the afternoon kind' mean?
listening exercisestell a friend
Message
Author
question about "Inversion" #1 (permalink) Thu May 10, 2007 5:45 am   question about "Inversion"
 

Hi

I'd like to ask a question about "Inversion".

Here is an example.

Two securities guards were standing at the entrance of Ronan Keating Concert.

At the entrance of Ronan Keating Concert were standing two securities guards. (Can this inversion happen in this case with continous tense?)

Thanks.
_________________
If you want to change the world, be one of the change.
Rosalisa
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 314
Location: Cambodia

question about "Inversion" #2 (permalink) Thu May 10, 2007 5:50 am   question about "Inversion"
 

I'd say no. It does not look and sound right, not with "were standing". I can see "stood two segurity guards".
Diverhank
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 25 Apr 2007
Posts: 364
Location: California, USA

In this story you'll learn how to use the English articlesEnglish grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsAre you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!Here is all you want to know about English! Click to subscribe to free email English course
question about "Inversion" #3 (permalink) Thu May 10, 2007 7:40 am   question about "Inversion"
 

Hi Rosalisa,

I can't really see a problem with the use of any particular tense in cases of inversion. Look at these examples:

Not only is it raining .. In no circumstances are we going to allow that ...

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple
Alan
Co-founder
Alan Townend

Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 13890
Location: UK

question about "Inversion" #4 (permalink) Thu May 10, 2007 8:04 am   question about "Inversion"
 

Hi, Alan

Alan wrote:
I can't really see a problem with the use of any particular tense in cases of inversion


Does that inversion, which is being discussed in this topic, sound poetic, or is it normal if I use that inversion in my daily speech?

Thank you
Lost_Soul
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 15 Sep 2006
Posts: 1861
Location: South Park, Colorado, USA

question about "Inversion" #5 (permalink) Thu May 10, 2007 8:16 am   question about "Inversion"
 

Hi,

I would say it was more literary or written than 'normal' but of course with some expressions that you actually say out loud do take on an extra force when you use inversion, which is the whole point of the device. For example in the telling of a story: Hardly had I opened the door when you telephoned me and that's why I was slightly out of breath.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms
Alan
Co-founder
Alan Townend

Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 13890
Location: UK

Thanks #6 (permalink) Fri May 11, 2007 8:33 am   Thanks
 

Hi Alan,

Thank you very much for this. :D So, the tenses with Inversion don't matter, right?

Here is another question of mine.

Here's the letters.
Here are the letters.

Which one is correct? :D I'm not really sure about this but I find "Here's the letters" correct but I have no reason to prove this.
_________________
If you want to change the world, be one of the change.
Rosalisa
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 02 Aug 2006
Posts: 314
Location: Cambodia

word order #7 (permalink) Fri May 11, 2007 8:40 am   word order
 

Hi,

All you have to do is change the order back and you can see the difference:

The letters are here

The letters is here

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice
Alan
Co-founder
Alan Townend

Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 13890
Location: UK

Display posts from previous:   
What does trade reference mean? | What does 'Be the afternoon kind' mean?
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on English Forums
Using Will and WouldWhat does 'Virginia Company in England' mean?the meaning of "do onto"at the beginning of a survey, what i should say to interviewee?Expression: "phone in"what's the difference between "back" and "behind"?Expression: That...!"cool as a kite" - an idiom?Are you a brown noser?Difference between 'it is a long time ago' and 'it was a long time ago'Proclamation: 'Democracy wins by means of the prediction of easy manipulated...Expression: kiss at her cheekstate vs. condition

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course
First name E-mail