SKILL 16: INVERT THE SUBJECT AND VERB WITH PLACE EXPRESSIONS

SKILL 16: INVERT THE SUBJECT AND VERB WITH PLACE EXPRESSIONS

Look at these following examples:

 

In the first example the place word here causes the subject book to come after the verb is. In the second example the place word there causes the subject keys to come after the verb are. In the last example the place word nowhere causes the subject I to come after the verb have.

The subject and verb can also be inverted after prepositional phrases expressing place.

In the closet  are the clothes that you want.

Around the corner is Sam’s house.

In the first example the prepositional phrase of place in the closet causes the subject clothes to come after the verb are. In the second example the prepositional phrase of place around the corner causes the subject house to come after the verb is.

It is important (and a bit difficult) to understand that the subject and verb will invert after place expressions at the beginning of a sentence only when the place expressions is necessary to complete the sentence. Study the following examples:

In the forest are many exotic birds.

In the forest I walked for many hours.

In the first example the subject birds and verbs are are inverted because the place expression in the forest is needed to complete the idea many exotic birds are …….. In the second example the subject I and the verb walked  are not inverted because the idea I walked for many hours  is needed to complete the sentence.

 

EXERCISE 16: Each of the following sentences contains an expression of place at the beginning of a sentence. Circle the expressions of place. Look at the clauses that immediately follow the place expressions and underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

 

3.        (_______) In the cave was a vast treasure of gems and jewels.

4.        (_______) To the north the stream is that the settlers will have to cross.

5.        (_______) Around the corner are the offices that you are trying to find.

6.        (_______) At the Italian restaurant was the food too spicy for my taste.

7.        (_______) Nowhere in the world farmers can grow such delicious food.

8.        (_______) In the backyard the two trees are that need to be pruned.

9.       (_______) Around the recreation hall and down the path are tents where we will be staying this    week.

10.    (_______) In the apartment next to mine a man and a woman were having a heated discussion.

ANSWER KEY