grammar help

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wellow
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Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 3:23 pm
Location: france

grammar help

Post by wellow »

hi,
can anyone explain a grammar point please?
it relates to the sentence ' Not until later did I realise my mistake'
Is this a type of conditional? Can anyone give me any other examples please?
thanks
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Micawber
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Location: Yokohama

Post by Micawber »

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It is not a conditional. It is an example of subject-verb inversion as a result of a fronted negative adverbial. Another example:

Never have I seen such a beautiful woman!
.
wellow
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Location: france

Post by wellow »

umm, sorry to be thick, but what is a 'fronted negative adverbial'?
thanks
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Micawber
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Post by Micawber »

.
Pretty much what it says, wellow-- an adverb or adverbial phrase which has negative connotations and is placed at the front of the sentence:

Hardly had he opened his eyes than the alarm rang.
Only seldom can one find a giraffe in a supermarket.
wellow
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Location: france

Post by wellow »

ok - thanks, was just a bit flawed by the terms. am a native speaker and not a linguist!!
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