C1 · Lesson 7 · 25 min
Fronting and emphasis
In this lesson
- I can front an object or complement to create a contrast.
- I can use emphatic do without changing tense or adding inversion unnecessarily.
Grammar in context
The timetable we can change; the examination date we cannot. Difficult the decision certainly was, but it was necessary. We did warn applicants that places were limited.
Which two things are contrasted at the beginning? What extra emphasis does did add to warn?
Bring a topic to the front
English usually places an object after the verb, but we can front it when the context provides a clear contrast or an established topic. In the sentence “This proposal I support”, the proposal is the object and I is still the subject. Ordinary object fronting does not itself require an inverted auxiliary. Use this marked pattern selectively: it can sound literary or awkward without a clear reason for the contrast.
- The small repairs we can afford; a new roof we cannot.
- That explanation I find hard to accept.
Front a complement carefully
An adjective complement can sometimes be placed first for emphasis: Unusual the arrangement certainly was. The subject and verb can retain their ordinary relative order in this pattern. It is stylistically marked, so a neutral sentence may be clearer in everyday communication. Distinguish it from location-based patterns such as On the hill stood a tower, and from fronted negative phrases that require auxiliary inversion. Fronting is a family of constructions, not one rule for every opening phrase.
- Exhausted the runners certainly were.
- Useful the diagram may be, but it needs a key.
Stress an affirmative verb with do
Use do, does or did plus a base verb to contradict a denial, reassure someone or emphasise an affirmative action. The auxiliary carries tense and person: she does understand, they did attend. With another auxiliary already present, emphasis normally falls on that auxiliary instead. Emphatic do is therefore not added before can or before the main verb be. In writing, context must show why the extra emphasis is relevant.
- I do appreciate your patience.
- She did send the form; it must have gone to the wrong address.
Common mistakes
Compare the incorrect and corrected forms.
Avoid
That proposal do I support.
Use
That proposal I support.
Ordinary object fronting does not require auxiliary inversion in this statement.
Avoid
He did explained the problem.
Use
He did explain the problem.
Did carries past tense, so the following verb uses its base form.
Put it into practice
Try the exercises, write your own examples and check your understanding.