grammar · academic
Only when + clause, did + subject + V
Emphasises that something happened only after another event; when fronted, 'only when' triggers inversion of auxiliary and subject.
Examples
“Only when the data were published did the debate begin in earnest.”
“Only when she apologised did he forgive her.”
“Only when the proposal was revised did the committee approve it.”
Band 8 sentence
“Only when policymakers acknowledged the long-term costs did a serious strategy to tackle the issue emerge.”
Collocations
- Only when + past simple, did + subject + base verb
- Only when + present perfect, does/did + subject + V
Common mistakes
Only when he apologised he forgave him.→Only when he apologised did he forgive him.
Only when the results published did they celebrate.→Only when the results were published did they celebrate.
Say it for a higher band
5When + clause, clause→6Only when + clause, clause→7+Only when + clause, did + subject + V
Synonyms
Not until + clause, did + subject + V
Easily confused
Not until + clause, did + subject + V
“Not until the final report was submitted did the team relax.”
Only if + clause
“Only if you complete the form will you be considered for the grant.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Conditionals
Learn it with its set