Inversión enfática (Never have I…)
Tras ciertas expresiones negativas o restrictivas al principio de la frase, el inglés usa el orden de pregunta. Suena formal y enfático.
| inicio | ejemplo |
|---|---|
| Never / Rarely / Seldom | Never have I seen such chaos. |
| Not only … but also | Not only did she win, but she also broke the record. |
| Hardly / No sooner … than | No sooner had we arrived than it started to rain. |
| Only then / Only when | Only then did I understand. |
| Under no circumstances | Under no circumstances should you open this. |
Condicionales sin if
Had I known, I would have come (De haberlo sabido…). · Should you need help, call us. · Were it not for you, …
Ejemplos
- Rarely do we see such talent.Pocas veces se ve tanto talento.
- Not until I moved abroad did I appreciate my family.Hasta que no me fui al extranjero no valoré a mi familia.
- Should you have any questions, please contact us.Si tiene alguna pregunta, póngase en contacto con nosotros.
- Little did he know what was waiting for him.No tenía ni idea de lo que le esperaba.
- No sooner had she left than the phone rang.Apenas se hubo ido, sonó el teléfono.
Errores comunes
- ✗ Never I have seen such chaos.✓ Never have I seen such chaos.Tras never al principio el auxiliar va antes del sujeto, a diferencia del español nunca he visto.
- ✗ Rarely we see such kindness.✓ Rarely do we see such kindness.Tras rarely al principio de la frase hace falta do antes del sujeto.
- ✗ Not only she sang, but she also danced.✓ Not only did she sing, but she also danced.Tras not only al principio va did antes del sujeto, y el verbo queda en forma base.
- ✗ Hardly I had arrived when it rained.✓ Hardly had I arrived when it rained.Tras hardly al principio el auxiliar had va antes del sujeto.
- ✗ Only then I realised.✓ Only then did I realise.Tras only then va did antes del sujeto, y el verbo queda en forma base.