La inversión después de una expresión negativa
Never have I seen…, Not only…, Hardly had I…, No sooner… than.
En el registro formal, cuando una expresión negativa o restrictiva va al principio, se invierten sujeto y auxiliar, como en una pregunta.
| Expresión | Ejemplo | Español |
|---|---|---|
| Never / Rarely / Seldom | Never have I seen such a mess. | Nunca había visto semejante desorden. |
| Not only… but also | Not only did he lie, but he also stole. | No solo mintió, sino que también robó. |
| Hardly / Scarcely… when | Hardly had I arrived when it started to rain. | Apenas había llegado cuando empezó a llover. |
| No sooner… than | No sooner had she left than he called. | Nada más irse ella, él llamó. |
| Under no circumstances | Under no circumstances should you open it. | Bajo ningún concepto debe abrirlo. |
| Only then / Only when | Only then did I understand. | Solo entonces lo entendí. |
Test yourself
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Reescribe: I have never heard such nonsense. (Never…)
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Never have I heard such nonsense. -
Reescribe: He didn't only forget, he also lied. (Not only…)
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Not only did he forget, but he also lied. -
Completa: No sooner ___ we sat down than the phone rang.
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had -
Completa: Only later ___ I realise my mistake.
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did