(a) No sooner than he reached the station the train left.
(b) No sooner had he reached the station than the train left.
(c) No sooner he had reached the station than the train left.
(d) No sooner had he reached the station then the train left.
Grammar Guide: Correcting 'No Sooner... Than' Sentences
The correct usage of the adverbial correlative conjunction 'no sooner... than' follows a specific grammatical pattern.
Understanding the 'No Sooner... Than' Rule
- Structure: The phrase "No sooner" must be followed by an auxiliary verb (like had) and then the subject.
- Inversion: This structure requires inversion – the auxiliary verb comes before the subject after "No sooner".
- Conjunction: The connecting word must be than. The word then (indicating time sequence) is incorrect in this context.
- Pattern: The standard pattern is: No sooner had + subject + past participle..., than + subject + verb...
Analyzing the Options
- (a) No sooner than he reached the station the train left.
Incorrect. The auxiliary verb had is missing after "No sooner", and "than" is placed incorrectly. - (b) No sooner had he reached the station than the train left.
Correct. This sentence correctly uses inversion ("had he reached") after "No sooner" and the proper conjunction "than". - (c) No sooner he had reached the station than the train left.
Incorrect. The subject "he" comes before the auxiliary verb "had" after "No sooner", violating the inversion rule. - (d) No sooner had he reached the station then the train left.
Incorrect. While the initial structure is correct, it uses the wrong conjunction "then" instead of "than".
Therefore, sentence (b) is the only grammatically correct option.
Similar Questions
(a) Hardly had I arrived at the airport than the plane departed.
(b) Scarcely had I arrived at the airport when the plane departed.
(c) Hardly I had arrived at the airport when the plane departed.
(d) Scarcely had I arrived at the airport then the plane departed.Which one of the following sentences is correct?
(a) Although it was raining, we had the picnic.
(b) Although it was raining, still we had the picnic.
(c) Although it was raining, yet we had the picnic.
(d) Although it was raining, even then we had the picnic.(a) When I would arrive, I will call you.
(b) When I shall arrive, I will call you.
(c) When I will arrive, I will call you.
(d) When I arrive, I will call you.(a) Who among you has the answer?
(b) Whom among you has the answer?
(c) Whom amongst you has the answer?
(d) Who amid you has the answer?Which one of the following sentences is correct?
Important Questions from Sentence Correction
- A sentence/a part of the sentence is underlined. Four alternatives are given to the underlined part which will improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. In case no improvement is needed, click the button corresponding to "No improvement".
The boys absented themselves for two days. - A sentence/a part of the sentence is underlined. Four alternatives are given to the underlined part which will improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. In case no improvement is needed, click the button corresponding to "No improvement".
My mother insists on setting up something everyday for charity. A sentence/a part of the sentence is underlined. Four alternatives are given to the underlined part which will improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. In case no improvement is needed, click the button corresponding to "No improvement".
He began on a new business venture.A sentence/a part of the sentence is underlined. Four alternatives are given to the underlined part which will improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. In case no improvement is needed, click the button corresponding to "No improvement". I have to say them the truth.
A sentence/a part of the sentence is underlined. Four alternatives are given to the underlined part which will improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. In case no improvement is needed, click the button corresponding to "No improvement". The SSB will interview the candidate between 11 a.m. and 3.00 p.m.
