核心问题
Michael Swan 编著的《英语用法入门》(p.16) 上说：“always, never, rarely, seldom 等则不能放在句首。”是这样吗？
词典解答
这种说法不符合英语的实际情况。实际上这几个表频度的副词都可以放在句首。但never, rarely 和 seldom 放在句首时, 句子的主语和谓语要倒装(参见 never):
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Always, we went on foot. (Wells) 我们总是走着去。
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Never have I heard of such a thing. 我从没听说过这样的事。
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Rarely does the temperature go above ninety in San Juan. (Long) 在圣胡安温度极少高于九十度。
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Very rarely did Mary receive letters from her brother. 玛丽极少收到她哥哥的信。
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Seldom does he read newspapers. 他很少读报纸。