16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardInversion after not only

Standard English Conventions practice question

Not only ____ the deadline, but she also delivered the report two days early.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. did she meetCorrect
  2. B. she met
  3. C. she did meet
  4. D. met she

Answer: A. did she meet

After not only at the start of a clause, the auxiliary comes before the subject.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. she met
No inversion.
C. she did meet
The auxiliary must precede the subject.
D. met she
The main verb cannot invert without an auxiliary.

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