fronting
1 In informal spoken English, it is quite common to begin an affirmative sentence with the object or complement, in order to give it more immediate importance.
Very good lesson we had yesterday.
Great party that was!
This is called fronting. Fronting is also possible in a more formal style, in certain kinds of sentences.
This question we have already discussed at some length.
However, it is more common to use the passive, in a formal style, in order to bring a noun to the front of the sentence.
This question has already been discussed.
2 Some adverbs and adverbial expressions can be put at the beginning of the sentence.
Sometimes I wonder what I am doing here.
Once upon a time an old woman lived alone in the middle of a forest.
Inversion is necessary after negative and some other adverbial expressions.
Under no circumstances can we accept cheques.
Round the corner came Mrs Porter.
Off to bed you go!
3 Fronted adjectives are possible in a structure with as and though.
Young as 1 was, I realized what was happening.
Tired though she was, she went on working.
A similar structure is possible in a few expressions with fronted nouns before that. This is unusual in modern English.
Fool that I was!
4 In a very informal style, articles, pronouns and auxiliary verbs are often left out in order to bring an important word to the front of the sentence.
Seen John?
Can't see anything.
Lost my glasses.
Sometimes the subject is put at the end of the sentence (with or without an auxiliary verb) in aso-called "tag" question.
Nice day, isn't it?
Crazy, your brother.
Likes his beer ' Stephen does.
Going on holiday, are you.