An inverted sentence switches the placement of the verb before the subject of a sentence as if in a question. Here are some examples of inverted sentences: Not only is he difficult to understand, but he is also funny. Never have I understood less about women. Scarcely have they been on time.

Inversion just means putting the verb before the subject. We usually do it in question forms: Normal sentence: You are tired. (The subject is 'you'. It's before the verb 'are'.)

When we begin a sentence (or a clause) with a ‘negative’ adverb or adverbial phrase, we change the word order of the subject and verb. The word order becomes auxiliary verb + subject. This is called inversion, as we are inverting the usual word order of subject + verb.

When an adverb or an adverbial expression of place comes in the initial position (at the beginning of the sentence), the subject and verb are inverted: Down the hill rolled the children. Round the corner was a nice café.

'Inversion' means reversing (inverting) the normal subject–verb word order in a sentence. We can use inversion to add emphasis, especially in formal English. It is common, for example, in political speeches, because it has a persuasive and impressive effect.