Inverted subject+verb order

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Twilight
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Inverted subject+verb order

Post by Twilight » Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:00 pm

Ciao! I found this example phrase from the "bbc learning english" website:
In no way will I agree to sharing an office with Ben

There are other phrases in which the order of the subject and the verb is inverted although it isn't a question (I've seen "has+subject+pparticiple).

Why is it correct? What's the difference with "in no way I will agree to sharing an office with Ben" ?

Thank you 8)
Claudietto

I am learning English every day, so could you help me by correcting (In private, if you want) anything I have written incorrectly.

ILNY - I Love "Not yet"
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-Luca-
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Post by -Luca- » Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:15 pm

Ehi Twilight, domani grande uscita, vai a vedere il film ? :)
Italians don't know what Caesar salad is !!
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Twilight
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Post by Twilight » Wed Nov 16, 2011 1:43 am

uhauhauhauh no! Il Twilight a cui i ispira il mio nick è questo
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Claudietto

I am learning English every day, so could you help me by correcting (In private, if you want) anything I have written incorrectly.

ILNY - I Love "Not yet"
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Geoff
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Re: Inverted subject+verb order

Post by Geoff » Wed Nov 16, 2011 9:16 am

Twilight wrote:Ciao! I found this example phrase from the "bbc learning english" website:
In no way will I agree to sharing an office with Ben

There are other phrases in which the order of the subject and the verb is inverted although it isn't a question (I've seen "has+subject+pparticiple).

Why is it correct? What's the difference with "in no way I will agree to sharing an office with Ben" ?

Thank you 8)
It is done for emphasis. It stresses the absolute certainty that you will not agree.

The alternative "in no way I will agree to sharing an office with Ben" does not sound right. I can't supply a reason in terms of grammatical rules but I would instead say "there is no way I will agree ...".
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Peter
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Post by Peter » Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:35 am

Claudietto

Like Geoff I am uncertain about the grammar rules here, but having done one or two checks, it seems that in no way is considered an adverbial phrase (frase avverbiale?), and as such I do not think it can be followed immediately by the subject pronoun (I). As Geoff says, in no way I will agree... does not sound correct; indeed it sounds totally wrong! :)

I agree with what Geoff has said about emphasis and also his alternative wording.
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Twilight
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Post by Twilight » Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:55 am

Ok, grazie per la risposta! I've seen this emphatic form elsewhere, maybe in some fiction books
Claudietto

I am learning English every day, so could you help me by correcting (In private, if you want) anything I have written incorrectly.

ILNY - I Love "Not yet"
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