Word order in English is of much greater importance than in Russian. Due to the wealth of inflexions word order in Russian is rather free as the inflexions show the function of each Word in a sentence. As English words have hardly any inflexions and their relation to each other is shown by their place in the sentence and not by their form, word order in English is fixed. We cannot change the position of different parts of the sentence at will, especially that of the subject and the object.
The order of words in which the subject is placed after the predicate is called inverted order or inversion.
(Haven’t you any family?)
Certain types of sentences require the inverted order of words. These are:
1. Interrogative sentences. In most of them the inversion is partial as only part of the predicate is placed before the subject, viz. the auxiliary or modal verb.
(Where did they find her?)
The whole predicate is placed before the subject when it is expressed by the verb to be or to have.
(Is he at home?)
2. Sentences introduced by there.
(There is nothing marvellous in what Jam is going to relate.)
3. Compound sentences, their second part beginning with so or neither.
(Their parents, Mr. and Mrs. R., escaped unhurt, so did three of their sons.)
4. Simple exclamatory sentences expressing wish.
(Be it so!)
The inverted order of words is widely used when a word or a group of words is put in a prominent position
In this case inversion is not due to the structure of the sentence but to the author’s wish to produce a certain stylistic effect.
1. Inversion occurs when an adverbial modifier opens the sentence.
Here we must distinguish the following cases:
(a) Adverbial modifiers expressed by a phrase or phrases open the sentence, and the subject often has a lengthy modifier.
(In an open barouche, the horses of which had been taken out, stood a stout old gentleman in a blue coat and bright buttons.)
(b) An adverbial modifier with a negative meaning opens the sentence. Here belong such adverbial modifiers as: in vain, never, little, etc. In this case the auxiliary do must be used if the predicate does not contain either an auxiliary or a modal verb.
(Never before and never since, have I known such peace, such a sense of tranquil happiness.)
(c) Adverbial modifiers expressed by such adverbs as so, thus, now, then, etc. placed at the head of the sentence, if the subject is expressed by a noun.
(So wore the day away.)
If the subject is a pronoun inversion does not take place.
(Thus he thought and crumpled up and sank down upon the wet earth.)
(d) Adverbial modifiers of manner expressed by adverbs placed at the head of the sentence, may or may not cause inversion. In case of inversion the auxiliary do must be used if the predicate does not contain either an auxiliary or a modal verb.
(Silently and patiently did the doctor bear all this)
(f) An adverbial modifier preceded by so is placed at the head of the sentence.
(So beautifully did she sing that the audience burst into applause.)
2. Inversion occurs when the emphatic particle only, the adverbs hardly, scarcely (correlated with the conjunction when), the adverb no sooner (correlated with the conjunction than), or the conjunction nor open the sentence. If there is inversion the auxiliary do must be used if the predicate does not contain either an auxiliary or a modal verb.
(Only once did he meet his match in tennis.)
3. Inversion occurs when the sentence begins with the word here which is not an adverbial modifier of place but has some demonstrative force.
(Here comes my brother John.)
If the subject is expressed by a personal pronoun the order of words is direct.
(“Here we are!” exclaimed that gentleman.)
4. Inversion occurs when postpositions denoting direction open the sentence and the subject is expressed by a noun. Here belong such words as in, out, down, away, up, etc. This order of words makes the speech especially lively.
(Out went Mr. Pickwick’s head again.)
But if the subject is a pronoun there is no inversion:
(Down he fell)
5. Inversion occurs when an object or an adverbial modifier expressed by a word-group with not a..., or many a... opens the sentence.
In case of inversion the auxiliary do must be used if the predicate does not contain either an auxiliary or a modal verb.
(Not a hansom did I meet with in all my drive.)
6. Inversion often occurs when a predicative expressed by an adjective or by a noun modified by an adjective or by the pronoun such opens the sentence (in case the subject is a noun or an indefinite pronoun).
(Sweet was that evening.)
Inversion is very common in clauses of concession where the predicative is followed by the conjunction as.
(Great as was its influence upon individual souls, it did not seriously affect the main current of the life either of the church or of the nation.)
However, when the subject is expressed by a personal pronoun, the link verb follows the subject.
(Bright eyes they were.)
7. Inversion is also found in conditional clauses introduced without any conjunction when the predicate is expressed by was, were, had, could or should.
(Even were they absolutely hers, it would be a passing means to enrich herself.)
