English C1: Inversion for emphasis · Words

En registro formal, ciertas expresiones negativas o restrictivas al principio de la frase invierten sujeto y auxiliar: Never have I seen…, Not only did she win, but…, Hardly had we arrived when…, Under no circumstances should you… También en condicionales sin if: Had I known, I would have come; Should you need help, call us.

• rarely — rara vez
• seldom — pocas veces
• hardly — apenas
• not only — no solo
• no sooner — nada más, apenas
• under no circumstances — bajo ningún concepto
• little — poco, apenas (ni se imaginaban)
• only then — solo entonces

• Never have I seen anything like it. — Nunca había visto nada igual.
• Not only is it cheap, but it’s also good. — No solo es barato, sino que además es bueno.
• Should you need anything, let me know. — Si necesita algo, dígamelo.
• Little did they know. — Poco se imaginaban.