grammar · formal
only when + clause + did + S + V
Emphasises that something happened only after a certain condition or time; requires inversion in the main clause.
Examples
“Only when the experiment was repeated did the scientists accept the results.”
“Only when I moved abroad did I appreciate my home country more.”
“Only when the evidence was clear did the court rule in favour of the plaintiff.”
Band 8 sentence
“Only when independent audits were published did stakeholders begin to trust the company's figures.”
Common mistakes
Only when I arrived I realised the mistake.→Only when I arrived did I realise the mistake.
Only when arrived I realised the mistake.→Only when I arrived did I realise the mistake.
Say it for a higher band
5after + clause, S + V→6only after + clause + S + V→7+only when + clause + did + S + V
Synonyms
not until + clause + did + S + V
Easily confused
only after + clause + did + S + V
“Only after the announcement did sales start to increase.”
Related words
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In Comparatives
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