(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.
Important Questions from Sentence Correction
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select No Improvement.
These flowers smell sweetly and are sold at high prices in the market.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select No Improvement.
While learning to drive, one of the most important things is to know the traffic rules first.
Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined word in the given sentence.
When you give away a secret or an advantage, you reveal a secret or suspension that you should have kept to yourself.
Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined word in the given sentence.
The bacteria in the roots of leguminous plants submerge nitrogen in the soil to compounds.
- Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined word in the given sentence.
The Maldives is one of the few places in the world where ancient pleasure can be derived from doing nothing.
