INVERSION

Is it true that after expressions such as: Aussi, Du moins, Au moins, Sans doute, Encore, Peut-etre, you have to use the inversion even if the statement isn't a question? So for example we won't say:"Aussi nous avons rencontre des Italiens", but: "Aussi avons-nous rencontre des Italiens". Oh maybe that rule is used only in the formal and very correct language?

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Permalink Reply by Neil Coffey on November 19, 2011 at 8:15pm

Broadly, it's not true that these words are always used with inversion, but at least some of them do have specific uses at the beginning of a sentence that tend to be used with inversion, or where inversion is at least optional.

In the specific case you mention, with "aussi", then inversion is optional, but by no means always used. In either case, though, note that the meaning is generally taken to be "Thus", "therefore" (and not "also"). If you want the meaning of "also" at the beginning of a sentence, it's clearer if you use another synonym such as "également", "en outre".

Incidentally, when you use words such as "have to" or "correct", it's worth bearing in mind that there's no actual God-given word on what language "must" be used where, or what language is "correct" in any absolute sense-- it's essentially a matter of what usage native speakers tend to use and prefer in practice.