English native speakers' judgement needed here
The two sentences below are supposed to be syntactically correct, but I want to know if they are grammatical with idiomatic reading,,, I mean (do they sound natural to you?)

1. Never did I read a single book the whole time I was in the library.
2. Never have I had a red cent.

Thank you in advance!

Question

English native speakers' judgement needed here
The two sentences below are supposed to be syntactically correct, but I want to know if they are grammatical with idiomatic reading,,, I mean (do they sound natural to you?)

1. Never did I read a single book the whole time I was in the library.
2. Never have I had a red cent.

Thank you in advance!

Answer

They are not very natural, no. It would be more natural to phrase it more casually.

1. I never read a single book the whole time I was in the library.

2. I have never had a red cent.

Answer

The grammatical inversion has a formal tone, so it doesn't work so well with mundane activities (visits to a library) or idioms (not having a red cent). In fact, it sounds a little melodramatic.  I agree that Melissa's suggestions using regular grammar sound much more natural.

Answers · 4

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