Grammar - Inversion

Inversion is used to give emphasis or to be rhetorical in more formal situations, in political speeches, on the news, and also in literature. Some native speakers may also use them occasionally in day-to-day conversation. The structure of these phrases is similar to interrogative sentences even though they are not questions but statements. Inversion takes place after certain expressions if these expressions begin the sentence. Take a look at these examples:

Not only.....but also

Not only did we not get the pay rise we were promised, but we also had our luncheon vouchers taken off us.

At no time

At no time did I say I would accept to work late

No sooner.....than

This is used to refer to an event that quickly follows another. It is usually used with the past perfect, but sometimes with the simple past No sooner had I reached the door than I realised it was locked or No sooner did I reach the door than I realised it was locked. Not until Not until January will I have a holiday. Only after This is usually used with the simple past. Only after the film started did I realise that I'd seen it before.