Fronting and preposing

Move complements, objects and predicative phrases to the front to create contrast, continuity or dramatic emphasis.

When do we use it?

Recognize marked fronting and retain grammatical agreement and reference.

Form

A fronted constituent is followed by the remainder of its clause; inversion occurs only in specific patterns.

• This proposal, I cannot support.
• Far more difficult was the second stage.
• What she did next, nobody expected.

Key contrast

At C2, grammar is a resource for controlling perspective, density, rhythm and register, not merely avoiding error.

Common mistakes

• This proposal cannot I support. → This proposal, I cannot support.
• Far more difficult the second stage was. → Far more difficult was the second stage.

Remember

Move complements, objects and predicative phrases to the front to create contrast, continuity or dramatic emphasis.

Quick check

• Identify the information focus and logical relationship.
• Check auxiliary order, reference and complement pattern.
• Choose the option that is idiomatic in the intended register.