Inversion/if-deletion/had, should, were

[seeya]

Hi,

These two sentences don't make sense to me.
I need your help....please.

1. "If you should arrive before 6:00, just give me a call."
From here it is possible to omit 'if' and the subject and
verb can be inverted. So this sentence can be "Should
you arrive before 6:00, just give me a call."

I clearly understand this, but the problem is this
following one.

2. "If he has enough vacation days left this year, he will
take two full weeks off in December." cannot turn to
"Has he enough vacation days left this year, he will
take two full weeks off in December." says Longman
Answer key.

I cannot understand why the subject and verb can't be inverted in the latter one. Is the answer key right?

[Erin]

Yes, your book is correct.

Here's what you need to know:

had, should, were

These are the only words with which we can use this type of inversion.

I've got a pretty good reference on inversion. Check it out here:

http://www.TestMagic.com/Knowledge_B.../inversion.htm

Scroll down to #8 to read more about it.

Hope that helps!!


Erin

Please post further questions here.

Please search this newsgroup for FAQs.

TestMagic.com
San Francisco, CA USA

[max]

Hi,
Not long ago, I read in NELSON-TOEFL that inversion may appear in conditional sentences of types 2 and 3 without if or unless.

However, I have just seen above what inversion is used in conditional sentences of types 0 and 1.

Can I use inversion in all types of conditional sentences?

[harbinger]

Hi,
Not long ago, I read in NELSON-TOEFL that inversion may appear in conditional sentences of types 2 and 3 without if or unless.

However, I have just seen above what inversion is used in conditional sentences of types 0 and 1.

Can I use inversion in all types of conditional sentences?

In my opinion, you cann't.

"If" can be omitted in there following cases:

1. In an unreal past condition.
Exp: If he had called me, I would not been angry---> Had he called me, I would not been angry.

2.In an unreal present condition if the main verb or auxiliary verb is "be"
Exp: If it were sunny today, I would go out for a walk---->were it sunny today, I would........................

3.In a real future condition that contains the modal "should"
Exp: If you should need help, don't hesitate to call me.-----> Should you need help, don't.............

Hopefully, It is useful for you.

Regards,

Harbinger.





Edited by - harbinger on 2002 Jul 09 00:58:11

[madhavi]

Hi Harbinger
I like your name.Your explanation is good.But I want to know what the type0,TYPE1,Type 2,3????
I didn't hear any types till now.
Please tell me about that.
MAX could you please give me some information about the types?
Thank you
madhavi