Move an object or complement to the front of a sentence for emphasis without inversion, as in that book I have already read, but use inversion after fronted place phrases with a noun subject, as in down the hill rolled the ball, and after so/such plus that, as in so exhausted was she that she fell asleep instantly.
Grammar Rule
Fronting moves an element to the beginning of a sentence for emphasis; different types follow different word-order rules.
Fronting for Emphasis: Rules and Examples
| Fronted element | Inversion? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Object/complement | no inversion | That book I have already read. A brilliant teacher she was. |
| Place/direction (noun subject) | inversion | Down the hill rolled the ball. |
| so/such + that | inversion | So exhausted was she that she fell asleep instantly. Such was the confusion that no one knew what to do. |
Remember: fronted objects/complements = no inversion; fronted place phrases + noun subject = inversion; so/such + that = inversion.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below using fronting correctly, with or without inversion. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
B2-40. Fronting
Click «Start the test» to begin right away — no signup required. You can get a personalized certificate with your name and score at the end, if you want one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does fronting an object require inversion?
No, fronted objects or complements do not require inversion, as in that book I have already read.
When does fronting require inversion?
When a place or direction phrase is fronted with a noun subject, as in down the hill rolled the ball.
Does so/such plus that require inversion when fronted?
Yes, as in so exhausted was she that she fell asleep instantly.
Why is fronting used in English?
To emphasize a particular element of the sentence by moving it to the front.