1. Structure of “No sooner… than…”

The phrase “no sooner… than…” is used to connect two events or actions, where the first action is immediately followed by the second. The correct structure is:

• No sooner + auxiliary verb (had/do) + subject + main verb … than + [second action/event].

This structure is often used with the past perfect tense (had + past participle) in formal writing, although it can appear in other tenses too.

2. Breaking Down the Structure with Examples

1. Past Perfect Tense Example
   • No sooner had she arrived than it started raining.
   • Meaning: As soon as she arrived, it immediately started to rain.
2. Present Tense Example
   • No sooner does he finish one project than he begins another.
   • Meaning: As soon as he finishes one project, he starts a new one right away.

The “no sooner” structure often sounds more formal, so it’s common to see it in written English or formal speech.

3. Inversion with “No Sooner” (for Emphasis)

The phrase “no sooner” often causes an inversion in English. This means that instead of the usual subject + auxiliary verb order, we switch it to auxiliary verb + subject.

Example of Inversion:

• Standard Order: She had no sooner sat down than the phone rang.
• Inverted Order (more formal): No sooner had she sat down than the phone rang.

This inversion is similar to other formal structures in English, like “hardly… when…” or “scarcely… when…”.

4. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using “when” instead of “than”:
  • Incorrect: No sooner had they left when it started snowing.
  • Correct: No sooner had they left than it started snowing.
• Skipping the auxiliary verb (had/do):
  • Incorrect: No sooner she arrived than it started raining.
  • Correct: No sooner had she arrived than it started raining.

5. Practice Exercises

Try these sentences to test your understanding. Fill in the blanks with the correct form.

1. No sooner ________ (they/arrive) than the concert began.
2. No sooner ________ (he/finish) his work than he went to bed.
3. No sooner ________ (she/make) the announcement than everyone started clapping.

Answers:

1. No sooner had they arrived than the concert began.
2. No sooner had he finished his work than he went to bed.
3. No sooner had she made the announcement than everyone started clapping.