B2–C1 · GFF · GFF001

Not until + past clause + did + subject + bare infinitive

Explanation

A reusable frame from “Negation, inversion and focus”. Compare how English and German express negation, inversion and focus. Practise reusable constructions with Russian translations.

Structure

EN · EnglishNot until + past clause + did + subject + bare infinitive

DE · GermanErst als + subordinate clause, + finite verb + subject

Anchor phrase

RU · Translation

Только открыв файл, я заметил, что не хватает страниц.

EN · English

Not until I opened the file did I notice the missing pages.

DE · German

Erst als ich die Datei öffnete, bemerkte ich die fehlenden Seiten.

Try variations2 · more examples

RU · Translation
Она начала только тогда, когда в комнате стало тихо.
EN · English
Not until the room fell silent did she begin.
DE · German
Erst als es im Raum still wurde, fing sie an.
RU · Translation
Только добравшись домой, мы поняли, что произошло.
EN · English
Not until we reached home did we realise what had happened.
DE · German
Erst als wir zu Hause ankamen, verstanden wir, was passiert war.

Pattern graph

Continue with nearby patterns

GFF006Not only did + subject + bare infinitive, but + subject + also + past verbGFF GFF015All + subject + did + was + bare infinitive phraseGFF GFF002Only after + -ing phrase + did + subject + bare infinitiveGFF GFF013It was not until + time expression/clause + that + ordinary past clauseGFF

03Try variations2 · more examples

Continue with nearby patterns

Try variations2 · more examples