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Grammar referencec2
Word Order
Inversion After Negative Adverbials
Never have I seen, rarely does she.
Explanation
When a negative or restrictive adverbial starts a sentence, the subject and auxiliary invert. Common triggers are never, rarely, seldom, hardly, no sooner, not only, little and only when. Inversion also appears in formal conditionals with had, were and should.
Examples
- Never have I seen such a result.
- Not only did she object, but she also resigned.
- Had I known, I would have acted.
Common mistakes
Never I have seen such a result.
Never have I seen such a result.
Inversion is required.
Not only she objected, but she also resigned.
Not only did she object.
Add the auxiliary before the subject.
If had I known, I would have acted.
Had I known, I would have acted.
Drop if in the inverted conditional.