Incorrect:

I like carrots more than do I like potatoes.

Correct:

I like carrots more than I do potatoes.

or:

Correct:

I like carrots more than does my friend Carl.

5. A sentence begins with an introductory comparative phrase

Examples:

Bigger than an apatosaur is the blue whale. More important than your personal statement is your GPA. No less impressive than the invention of the laser was the development of the wheel.

6. After using as for comparisons.

Examples:

Megumi is from Japan, as is Sato. So-eun wants to leave early today, as does Oi. If thrown into the water, camels can swim, as can cats.

7. A sentence begins with a so… that… clause

Examples:

So happy was I that I bought flowers for everybody in class. So quickly did she leave that we did not even realize was gone. So rarely does a comet appear visible to the naked eye that when one does, it is considered a major event.

8. When an if-clause is using. If is omitted: even though the word if does not appear in the clause, we still have the meaning of an if-clause. We can use this type of inversion only with had, should, were

Examples:

Had I remembered Tomomi’s birthday, she wouldn’t be mad at me now. Should you need a hand, I will be more than happy to help you. Were I you, I think I would study more for your exam tomorrow. 9. A sentence begins with there is, there are, there exist, there come, there go

Examples:

There is a good restaurant nearby. There comes a time in every person’s life when she realizes that she is responsible for her own happiness, not other people. Scientists hypothesize that there exists a certain type of particle that can travel faster than the speed of light.

10. a sentence begins with here is, here are, here comes, here come

Examples:

Here is some good food for you to try. Here are the books that I don’t need anymore. Here comes the bus!

11. A sentence begins with an introductory -ing phrase which is the complement of the be-verb.

Examples:

Burning out of control was the forest located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Coming in last in the race was Joe “Elephant Legs” Blow. Not helping the situation was little Susie, who was throwing newspaper on the spreading fire.

12. To emphasis a word or a phrase

Examples:

Boy am I hungry! Is it ever hot in here! Do you know how to cook!

13. In questions

Examples:

Is this the last example? Do you enjoy reading these lists? Are we finished yet?

14. A sentence begins with a reported speech.

Examples:

“I think it’s time to go,” said Susan. “It’s time for you, but not for me,” replied Gary. “Maybe we should collect our thoughts for a moment,” commented Ying.

15. After conjunction nor when it is used between two sentences (not between any two elements like the other conjunctions).

Examples:

No one has volunteered for the job, nor do we expect anyone to volunteer in the future. Hok-ming cannot speak Portuguese, nor can Jose speak Cantonese. The zoo regulations will not permit you to touch the animals, nor would most people advise you to do so.

16. A sentence begins with so or neither.

Examples:

“So do I.” “So can Terry.” “Neither do most people I know.”

17. A sentence begins with an introductory adjective. Used with be-verbs.

Examples:

Beautiful beyond belief was my baby daughter. Happy about their acceptance into their dream schools were Ying and Xiao. Quick and painless will be your medical procedure.

18. When a sentence begins with few, such, so, little unless this word modifies a noun.

Examples:

Little did she know that she had won first prize. Such was her desire to win that she practiced night and day. So great was her surprise that she almost fainted. Few were her words of praise for her son. However, if one of these words modifies a noun which follows it, the inversion does not take place. Such a desire win is not healthy. Few words of praise are meaningful.