Language Focus

Ask students to complete the following language analysis task in pairs:

· Meaning – substitute the phrases in bold for other, simpler words so that the meaning is the same.

· Usage – why do you think the writer decided to use the phrases in bold instead of simpler language? What effect do these expressions have on the reader? More emphatic, more exciting, draws the reader in.

· Form - Look at the word order after the inversion phrases:

o Not only…

o Little…

o No sooner

o So desperate…

o Hardly…

· Complete the formula: Inversion phrase + _______ + _______ + _______

(Inversion phrase + auxiliary verb + subject + verb)

Show students further examples of each inversion:

Not only: used with a wide range of tenses and auxiliary verbs:

· Not only are vampires afraid of crosses, but also garlic.

· Not only did the werewolf have sharp teeth, but also long claws.

· Not only would I recommend calling the police, but also I would run away as fast as I could.

Little: most commonly used with “know” and “realise”:

· Little did I realise how much danger I was in.

· Little did she know what had just happened in the other room.

No sooner…. than: Or Hardly…. when Most commonly used with past perfect to express that one action happened immediately after another:

· No sooner had I closed the door than I heard a strange scratching sound.

· No sooner had I fallen asleep than a strange light came in through the window.

· Hardly had the sound stopped when the door burst open.

· Hardly had I turned around when the beast appeared at the end of the corridor.

So + adjective + that…: Used with a range of adjectives to add emphasis and express consequences:

· So cold was it that my hands were shaking.

· So frightening was the beast that even the brave soldier screamed in fear.

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