The inverted word order is the replacement of the Predicate or part of the Predicate before the Subject.

It takes place:

  • In conditional sentences in the Subjunctive mood.

    Had I money now, I would buy his car.
    Если бы у меня были деньги, я бы купил его машину.

    Inversion takes place in subordinate clause, - the whole Predicate (if it is a synthetic form) or the first element of the Predicate (if it is an analytical form) is placed before the Subject.

    Should I meet him somewhere, I would tell him what I think about him.
    Если бы я встретил его где-нибудь, я бы сказал ему все, что я о нем думаю.

  • Inversion can be provoked by some conjunctions and adverbs:

    • no sooner ... when, hardly ... when, scarcely ... when, not only, never, never before, etc.

      No sooner had I taken of my coat, when the telephone rang.
      Не успел я одеть пальто, как зазвонил телефон.

      Not only did he do his work, but he helped the others to do theirs.
      Не доделав свою работу, он уже помогает другим делать их работу.

      The auxiliary verb to do if it is a synthetic form or the first element of the Predicate if it is an analytical form is placed before the Subject.

      Never before had a Russian tsar travelled abroad in time of peace.
      Никогда раньше русский царь не выезжал за границу в мирное время.

      The first part of the Predicate stands before the Subject; if it is a synthetic form, the auxiliary verb to do does.

    • The conjunction so.

      The Predicative expressed by an adjective or participle stands before the Subject.

      So interesting the book was that I couldn't put it aside.
      Книга была на столько интересная, что я не мог отложить ее.

  • In adverbial clauses of concession.

    However young the king was he was known as one of the bravest knights of the Europe.
    Хотя король и был очень молод, он был известен как самый храбрый рыцарь в Европе.

    The Predicative expressed by an adjective stands before the Subject.