Fronting

What is fronting?

Fronting means moving a part of the sentence that usually comes after the verb to the start of the sentence. This part can be an object, an adjective, or an adverbial (a word or phrase that says where, when or how). We do this to give the fronted part more focus, to show contrast, or to link the sentence to what came before.

I enjoy most kinds of exercise. Running, though, I can't stand.

Normal order: I can't stand running. Fronted: Running I can't stand. Sometimes the subject and verb also change places. This is called inversion. Inversion after negative words (Never have I seen...) is on the Inversion page. This page covers the other kinds of fronting.

How fronting changes word order

There are two patterns after the fronted part:

With fronting, we never add do, does or did. That kind of inversion belongs to negative words like never and not only.

When to use fronting

1. Fronting an object for contrast or focus

Put the object first to contrast it with something else, or to make it the topic. The subject and verb stay in normal order. This is common in speech.

• Coffee I can live without. Chocolate I can't.
• What he said next I'll never forget.
• "She's moving to Halifax." "Really? That I didn't know."

In writing, a comma after a short fronted object is optional: That, I didn't know.

2. Adjective or adverb + as/though: 'although'

This pattern means although. Put the adjective or adverb first, then as or though, then the subject and verb. It sounds formal and is common in writing and speeches.

• Strange as it may seem, the cheaper flat was warmer.
• Tired though she was, she finished the report that night.
• Hard as he tried, he couldn't get the car to start.

As strange as it may seem is also correct and very common, especially in North American English. The meaning is the same.

3. Much as, try as: fixed patterns

Two useful patterns follow the same idea:

• Much as I like him, I don't trust his judgement. (= Although I like him very much)
• Much as we'd love to come, we can't this weekend.
• Try as I might, I couldn't open the jar. (= However hard I tried)
• Try as they may, they won't change her mind.

In Try as I might, the verb is the base form try, and the modal is usually might or may.

4. Fronted participle and adjective phrases

A phrase with a participle (-ing or -ed form) or an adjective can go first to set the scene. It describes the subject of the main clause.

• Exhausted, she fell asleep on the sofa.
• Born in Halifax, he moved to Toronto at eighteen.
• Unable to find parking, we went home.

The phrase must describe the subject that comes next. See Participle Clauses for more.

5. Place and movement phrases with inversion

When a phrase of place or movement goes first, the main verb can come before the subject. This is called locative inversion. It is common in stories, descriptions and news.

• Into the room walked a tall woman in a red coat.
• On the hill stands an old wooden church.
• Down came the rain.
• Here comes the bus. / There goes my train.

Two rules:

1. The verb is usually a simple verb of place or movement: be, stand, sit, lie, come, go, walk, run, fly. Do not use it with an object: Into the room carried the waiter a tray.
2. The subject must be a noun, not a pronoun. With a pronoun, use normal order: Here it comes. Off they went.

6. Adjective phrase + be: 'Gone are the days'

When a comparative, superlative or other adjective phrase goes first before be, the subject goes after the verb. This is formal and common in reports and articles.

• Of greater concern are the long-term effects on groundwater.
• Equally important is the cost of training new staff.
• Gone are the days when you could rent a flat in Vancouver cheaply.

The verb agrees with the subject that comes after it: are the effects, is the cost.

7. Fronting to link sentences

Putting known information first helps the reader follow the text. The fronted part often points back to the sentence before.

• We tested three designs. The first we rejected almost immediately.
• The flight was cancelled. Such was the demand for seats that the next one sold out in an hour.

Fronting vs inversion vs cleft sentences

Fronting and cleft sentences both add focus. A cleft sentence uses extra words (It is... that, What... is), while fronting only changes the order.

Common mistakes

Mistake 1: Adding 'did' after a place phrase

• Wrong: Into the room did walk a tall woman.
• Correct: Into the room walked a tall woman.
• Locative inversion uses the main verb. Do/does/did belongs to negative inversion.

Mistake 2: Inverting with a pronoun subject

• Wrong: Here comes it. / Off went they.
• Correct: Here it comes. / Off they went.
• Pronoun subjects stay before the verb.

Mistake 3: Inverting after a fronted object

• Wrong: This can't I accept.
• Correct: This I can't accept.
• A fronted object keeps normal subject + verb order.

Mistake 4: Wrong order in the as/though pattern

• Wrong: As strange it may seem, ... / Though impressive the results are, ...
• Correct: Strange as it may seem, ... / Impressive though the results are, ...
• The adjective comes first. With as at the start, you need as... as: As strange as it may seem.

Mistake 5: Wrong agreement after a fronted adjective phrase

• Wrong: Of greater concern is the long-term effects.
• Correct: Of greater concern are the long-term effects.
• The real subject comes after the verb. Make the verb agree with it.

Mistake 6: A fronted phrase that describes the wrong subject

• Wrong: Exhausted, the sofa looked very inviting.
• Correct: Exhausted, I thought the sofa looked very inviting.
• The fronted phrase describes the subject of the main clause. The sofa was not exhausted.

Quick reference

Common questions

What is the difference between fronting and inversion?

Fronting moves a part of the sentence to the start. Inversion swaps the subject and the verb. They often happen together (Into the room walked a woman), but not always (This I can't accept has fronting but no inversion).

Is it 'Strange as it may seem' or 'As strange as it may seem'?

Both are correct and mean although it may seem strange. The short form sounds more formal. Do not mix them: As strange it may seem is wrong.

Is fronting formal?

It depends on the type. Fronting an object (That I didn't know) is common in everyday speech. Locative inversion, the as/though pattern and Gone are the days sound more formal or literary.

Practise next

• Inversion — inversion after never, rarely, not only and other negative words.
• Cleft Sentences — another way to focus on one part of a sentence.
• Emphasis with Do, Does, Did — more ways to add emphasis.
• Participle Clauses — the rules behind fronted participle phrases.
• C2 Grammar: Inversion and Emphasis — test fronting, inversion and clefts together.