Reference Centre
Language, when you need it
Search concise B2 rules, vocabulary and speaking phrases without leaving the course to hunt through past lessons.
Want more practice? Extra Practice →
Comparison & Emphasis
Quick rule
Put a negative or restrictive adverbial first, then invert subject and auxiliary: Not only did she…, Rarely have I…, No sooner had we….
Never before had the team missed a deadline.
Seldom does an offer like this come along.
Only by testing it ourselves did we find the fault.
Common mistake
✗ Not only she apologised… → ✓ Not only did she apologise…
Short practice
Invert: 'I have never seen anything like it.' → Never have I seen anything like it.
