Inversion, vocab, register

[Siemomysl]

1. Never before away had they gone. - right or wrong? why?

2. Not till he got home did he realize that he had lost it[the key].

It is said that not till..... (?)

3. What is preliminary consolidation in terms of a register? Formal? Semi-formal?

4. Can we omit the in 'Burning the midnight oil'?

Example:

-Up for a party?
-No, not really... I'm exhausted, didn't sleep a wink, was burning midnight oil yesterday.

5. Referring to the previous sentence: 'I'm exhausted, haven't sleep a wink, been burning midnight oil.

right or wrong? why?

Sorry for the post being so chaotic...I'm in a hurry. :)

Cheers from Poland.

[Mister Micawber]

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And I'm in a hurry, too-- can't stop to answer your questions now. Maybe later.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's