Errors in word order

Most word order errors consist of two words in reverse order. Some of the most common examples of this type of error are given below.

Examples:

Visitors to Vancouver often comment on how beautiful is its setting and on how clean. The correct word order is subject + verb: how beautiful and clean its setting is.

A special type of word order problem involves inversions. This type of sentence uses question word order even though the sentence is not a question. When are inversions used?

When the negative words listed below are placed at the beginning of a clause for emphasis. E.g.:

not only, not until, not once, at no time, by no means, nowhere

never, seldom, rarely scarcely, no sooner

Examples:

Not only do trees provide shade and beauty, but they also reduce carbon dioxide.

Not once was he on time.

Seldom have I heard such beautiful music.

Not only did the company lose profits, but it also had to lay off workers.

When the following expressions beginning with only occur at the beginning of a sentence (with these expressions, the subject and verb in that clause are inverted):

only in (on, at, by, etc.), only once, only recently

Examples:

Only in an emergency should you use this exit.

Only recently did she return from abroad.

When the following expressions beginning with only occur at the beginning of a sentence (with these expressions, the subject and verb of the second clause are inverted):

only if, only when, only because, only after, only until

Examples:

Only if you have a serious problem should you call Mr. Franklin at home.

Only when you are satisfied is the sale considered final.

When clauses beginning with the word so + an adjective or participle occur at the beginning of a sentence

Examples:

So rare is this coin that it belongs in a museum.

So confusing was the map that we had to ask a police officer for directions.

When clauses beginning with expressions of place or order occur at the beginning of a sentence (in these cases, the subject and main verb are inverted since auxiliary verbs are not used as they would be in most questions)

Examples:

In front of the museum is a statue.

Off the coast of California lie the Channel Islands.

First came a police car, then came an ambulance.