subject–verb inversionsubject–verb inversion (inversjon av subjekt og verbal): the placement of the whole verb phrase in front of the subject. In declarative sentences, subject-verb inversion takes place after fronted adverbial particle or fronted place adverbial in a presentative construction without the existential there, after a fronted -ing or past participle clause , and optionally in reporting clauses placed after the quotation in direct speech. In addition, for subject-verb inversion to take place, the verb phrase must usually be simple, and the subject must be realized by a (noun-headed) noun phrase. E.g. Here comes the bride. Under the root of a big fir tree lived Mrs. Rabbit with her four children, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter. Standing in the doorway is Johnnie Walker. "How are we today?” asked the doctor. In interrogative sentences where the verb is a simple form of to be, subject-verb inversion occurs regularly: Are you comfortable? Wasn't he Mr. Right after all? |
