倒裝(inversion)是一種語(yǔ)法手段，用以表示一定句子結(jié)構(gòu)的需要和強(qiáng)調(diào)某一句子成分的需要。英語(yǔ)的比較基本的結(jié)構(gòu)是主、謂結(jié)構(gòu)，倒裝就是將這種比較固定的詞序加以顛倒。 
　　倒裝有兩種。將主語(yǔ)和謂語(yǔ)完全顛倒過(guò)來(lái)，叫做完全倒裝(complete inversion)。如Then began a bitter war between the two countries。于是兩國(guó)之間開(kāi)始了惡戰(zhàn)。
　　只將助動(dòng)詞(包括情態(tài)動(dòng)詞)移至主語(yǔ)之前，叫做部分倒裝(partial inversion)。如At no time was the entrance left unguarded。入口無(wú)時(shí)無(wú)人把守。
　　英語(yǔ)句子的倒裝一是由于語(yǔ)法結(jié)構(gòu)的需要而進(jìn)行的倒裝，二是由于修辭的需要而進(jìn)行的倒裝。前一種情況，倒裝是必須的，否則就會(huì)出現(xiàn)語(yǔ)法錯(cuò)誤，后一種情況，倒裝是選擇性的，倒裝與否只會(huì)產(chǎn)生表達(dá)效果上的差異。
　　例1Among the advantages that future biochips, or “l(fā)iving computers”， would have over conventional semiconductor chips are that they are smaller, they do not generate as much heat, and they allow for the parallel processing of information, making them faster than today’s semiconductor devices。
　　例2This is the world out of which grows the hope, for the first time in history, of a society where there will be freedom from want and freedom from fear。
　　注意：調(diào)整語(yǔ)序，加強(qiáng)語(yǔ)氣。
　　以There be引出的倒裝句
　　a. There seem to be many good candidates in the district。
　　b. There exist many problems among the present day students。
　　c. There appears to be a man in black in the distance。
　　以副詞here, there, then, now, next引出的倒裝句
　　a. Here come the rest of the party。
　　b. Now comes your turn。
　　c. Then followed the discovery of a new compound。
　　d. Next came Edward with his wife。
　　以表地點(diǎn)的介詞短語(yǔ)引出的倒裝句
　　a. At the school gate stood a guard。
　　b. Under the tree are sitting some students。
　　c. On the bed lay a pretty kitten。
　　主語(yǔ)為代詞時(shí)，不用倒裝
　　Behind the counter he stood。
　　Behind the counter stood a man with glasses。
　　以表方位的副詞引出的倒裝句
　　a. Up went the arrow into the air。
　　b. Down fell a dozen apples。
　　c. Off went the horse。
　　not短語(yǔ)置于句首
　　a. Not until he went abroad did he know the truth of the fact。
　　b. Not a moment did she waste on campus。
　　c. Not only did I know her, but I was her best friend。
　　d. Not simple is this book interesting, but also instructive。
　　no短語(yǔ)置于句首
　　a. By no means should he be left alone。
　　b. In no way are can we allow this to continue。
　　c. In no case are you to leave your post。
　　d. On no account should we follow blindly。
　　e. Under no circumstances can we create or destroy energy。
　　f. No longer are they staying with us。
　　g. No sooner had she finished the poem than the students began go ask her questions。
　　only置于句首
　　a. Only by this means is it possible to explain his failure to act decisively。
　　b. Only after making investigation can we have the right to speak。
　　c. Only when one loses freedom does one know its value。
　　比較狀語(yǔ)從句中的倒裝
　　a. He ran as fast as did the person who came from England。
　　b. I spend less than do nine out of ten people in my position。
　　c. The greater the number of the free electrons in a material, the better is the conductivity of the material。
　　讓步狀語(yǔ)從句中的倒裝
　　a. Small as atoms, electrons are still smaller。
　　b. Complex as it may appear, the rocket, which was invented in China over 800 years ago, is a relatively simple device。
　　c. Hard as I tried to explain it to him, he still didn’t understand。
　　d. Much as I disagree with you, I yet respect you。
　　e. Vague though its category (is)， it is without doubt an essay。
　　f. Try as he would, he could not lift the rock。