Fronting
Move information to the front for emphasis, contrast and linking: Strange as it may seem…, Much as I…, Particularly worrying is…, This I can accept.
In this lesson you will
- Front objects and complements for contrast
- Use adjective + as/though concessive clauses
- Use fronted adjective phrases with inversion
Learn
Fronting puts something other than the subject first, for emphasis or to link with the previous sentence: *This I can accept; that I cannot. What they did next, nobody could have predicted.*
Concessive fronting: Adjective/adverb + as/though* + subject + verb: Strange as it may seem, I enjoy exams. Hard though she tried, she couldn’t finish. Much as I respect him, I disagree.*
Fronted complement with inversion (formal, descriptive): *Particularly worrying is the rise in debt. Of greater concern are the long-term effects. Gone are the days when…*
Fronted place/direction (narrative): *Into the room walked a tall stranger. On the hill stood an old castle.*
Examples
- Tired as we were, we kept walking.
- Gone are the days when a job lasted for life.
- Of particular interest is the second study.
- Some of his ideas I found brilliant; others, less so.
Vocabulary
fronting
moving a part of the sentence to the start
concessive
admitting something
complement
a word/phrase describing the subject
gone are the days
that time has ended
of concern
worrying
Practice
___ as it may sound, I’ve never seen the sea.
Speaking
Describe changes in your city or industry using Gone are the days when…, Particularly striking is…, and Much as I…
Writing
Write a formal paragraph (130–160 words) analysing a social trend, using at least three kinds of fronting.
Lesson quiz
Tired ___ I was, I couldn’t sleep.
Review
Key points
- Front objects for contrast.
- Adjective + as/though + clause.
- Fronted complement + inversion.
- Fronted place in narrative.
What you learned
- ✓ I can use fronting.
- ✓ I use concessive fronting.
- ✓ My writing has more variety.
Grammar reference: Inversion for emphasis, Sentence structure and word order