Inversion with Only Expressions (Basic)
B2 Level
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A very common mistake is putting the inversion in the wrong clause. "Only when did she arrive, she realised the truth" is incorrect — the correct form is "Only when she arrived did she realise the truth." Notice that "she arrived" has normal word order, and "did she realise" has inverted order. Only then is slightly different because it stands alone without a following clause: "Only then did we understand." These structures are frequently tested in Cambridge B2 First Use of English transformations.
Quick Rule
Only then / Only when / Only after + clause, + auxiliary + subject + main verb
- 1.Only then did she understand why he had been so quiet. (only then with past simple)
- 2.Only when I arrived at the airport did I realise my passport was missing. (only when with past simple)
- 3.Only after finishing university could he finally travel the world. (only after with modal)
- 4.Only when we checked the records did we realise the payment hadn't arrived. (only when with past perfect negative in result)
- 5.Only after years of practice will you master this technique. (only after with future modal)
All 20 questions
Rewrite the sentence starting with the 'only' expression. Your answer should begin after the prompt.
I understood the problem then. (Only then...)
Only then
I realised my mistake when I saw the result. (Only when...)
Only when I saw the result
She understood the instructions after reading them twice. (Only after...)
Only after reading them twice
I appreciated what I had then. (Only then...)
Only then
He noticed her when she spoke. (Only when...)
Only when she spoke
They started the meeting after everyone arrived. (Only after...)
Only after everyone arrived
I knew the truth at that moment. (Only then...)
Only then
We can relax when the project is finished. (Only when...)
Only when the project is finished
She felt safe after locking all the doors. (Only after...)
Only after locking all the doors
I saw the damage at that point. (Only then...)
Only then
He apologised when he realised his error. (Only when...)
Only when he realised his error
We understood the rules after the training session. (Only after...)
Only after the training session
I noticed the difference at that moment. (Only then...)
Only then
They will agree when they see the evidence. (Only when...)
Only when they see the evidence
She relaxed after taking a deep breath. (Only after...)
Only after taking a deep breath
I realised how lucky I was at that point. (Only then...)
Only then
He smiled when she laughed. (Only when...)
Only when she laughed
They left after finishing their meal. (Only after...)
Only after finishing their meal
I understood her concern at that moment. (Only then...)
Only then
She can succeed when she believes in herself. (Only when...)
Only when she believes in herself
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