Thread: inversion of order!

Hi Guys!

On this occasion, I'd like to know whether it is possible to use inversion of order in its negative form. As a matter of fact, I have never seen it.

HAD I KNOWN YOU NEEDED ME, I WOULD HAVE CALLED YOU! (3RD CONDITIONAL- INVERSION OF ORDER FOR EMPHASIS

SO FAR SO GOOD! BUT, WHAT ABOUT:

HADN'T I REALIZED THERE WAS A MISTAKE IN THE REPORT, THE CEO WOULD HAVE FIRED ME

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THANKS ALL

Inversion is used often times to stress negative situations. However, in this case you are using it as a formal way to replace an "if" (conditional) clause. If you can build that conditional sentence in a negative way, I see no issue in using this same negative form when you use the inversion.

Gentle,

Thanks for your help!
See u
D

The first sentence is perfectly fine. The second one, however, sounds a bit off to me.

I've always seen "Had I not..." and not "Hadn't I..."

Maybe that's why it doesn't sound fully acceptable to me...

Flor, the negative in inversion of order with the adverb of negation after the subject makes sense and sounds much more natural.
Thanks a lot

I'm glad it helped!

"Had I not realized..." does sound better right?

When used with a verb of motion, an adverb or adverb phrase of location may be placed at the beginning of a clause, followed immediately by the verb, followed by the noun subject of theverb.

Agree 100%: "Had I not" is the right way to say it!