Inversion in conditionals

Essam ABDOU · #1 01-07-2010, 12:33 AM

Dear colleagues

Inversion in Conditionals

Inversions are used in the conditional sentences particularly in formal or literary English

In Type 1: only SHOULD is used, taking into consideration that what comes after the subject is a verb in the bare infinitive.

If he comes to work early, the boss won`t be angry
Should he come to work early, the boss won`t be angry

In Type 2: only WERE is used but in three cases

If I were you, I`d obey my parents
Were I you, I`d obey my parents

If they offered me the job, I`d turn it down
Were they to offer me the job, I`d turn it down

If it wasn`t/weren`t for her hard work, she wouldn`t be our boss
Wasn`t/Weren`t it for her hard work, she wouldn`t be our boss

In Type 3: only HAD + P.P is used but in two cases

If he hadn`t got up early, he would have missed his flight
Had he not got up early, he would have missed his flight
Hadn`t he got [is not acceptable] = no contractions in the negative
Had he not without P.P. = Had he not early … = is WRONG

If it hadn`t been for my parents, I wouldn`t have survived this ordeal
Had it not been for my parents, I wouldn`t have survived this ordeal
Hadn`t it been [is not acceptable] = no contractions in the negative
Had it not without P.P. = Had it not for …. = is WRONG

Best Regards