6.63 at beginning of clause: inversion of subject and verb

If you put a prepositional phrase which refers to the position of something at the beginning of the clause when you are using a verb intransitively, the normal word order after it is often changed, and the verb placed before the subject.

• On the ceiling hung dustpans and brushes.
• Inside the box lie the group's US mining assets.
• Beyond them lay the fields.

If you are using 'be' as a main verb, or a modal, the verb always comes before the subject; so for example, you cannot say 'Under her chin a colossal brooch was'.

• Under her chin was a colossal brooch.
• Next to it is a different sign which says simply 'Beware'.
• Alongside him on the rostrum will be Mr Mitchell Fromstein.