The Inversion Transformation Ed McCorduck English 402--Grammar SUNY Cortland

Another example of the grammatical construct called a “transformation” (first discussed in “The Passive Voice” lecture from chapter 3, is what we’ll term the inversion transformation, which can formulated in this way: subj + aux + MV ⇒ aux + subj + MV slide 2: formulation of the inversion transformation English 402: Grammar

This element “aux” can be realized by any one of the following: M (see the slide 10 of the chapter 3 “Verbs and Verb Phrases” lecture) We may leave now. / May we leave now? subj aux MV aux subj MV Bentley will screw it up. / Will Bentley screw it up? subj aux MV aux subj MV slide 3: one realization of aux: modals English 402: Grammar

have (in have + -en, i.e., the have for the perfect aspect) He has arrived. / Has he arrived? subj aux MV aux subj MV We have (We’ve) done it now. / Have we done it now? subj aux MV aux subj MV The officer had told you to move it. /Had the officer told you to move it? subj aux MV aux subj MV slide 4: another possible realization of aux: have (not the main verb) English 402: Grammar

be It is (It’s) raining. / Is it raining? subj aux MV aux subj MV They were sweating bullets. / Were they sweating bullets? subj aux MV aux subjMV Chocolate is made in Hershey, PA. / Is chocolate made in Hershey, PA? s subj aux MV aux subj MV slide 5: a third possible realization of aux: be (the main verb be can also undergo inversion) English 402: Grammar