No sooner is a valuable expression used to indicate that one action happened immediately after another. This structure is common not only in academic English and writing tasks like IELTS, but also in formal communication. If you're aiming to improve your grammar and score higher in IELTS, learning how to use “No sooner… than” will be a great advantage.
1. What Is the Structure “No Sooner”?
No sooner is used to emphasize that one action occurred immediately after another. When placed at the beginning of a sentence, it requires inversion (i.e., the auxiliary verb comes before the subject). The word “than” is used to connect the two clauses, showing a clear sequence of events.
Example: No sooner had the movie started than the power went out.
2. “No Sooner… than” Structures in English
The “No sooner… than” construction can be used in different tenses, depending on the time context. Below are the most common usages:
Basic Structure
Formula: S + had + no sooner + V3 + than + S + V2
Example: He had no sooner finished his homework than he went out to play.
With Future Tense (Using “will”)
Formula: No sooner + will + S + V + than + S + will + V
Example: No sooner will I hear the alarm than I will jump out of bed.
In Past Tense
Formula: No sooner + had + S + V3 + than + S + V2
Example: No sooner had she opened the door than the cat rushed out.
Inversion with No Sooner
This is the most common form in formal and academic writing.
Formula: No sooner + had + S + V3 + than + S + V2
Example: No sooner had the bell rung than the students rushed out.
3. Similar Structures to “No Sooner”
If you want to vary your sentence structure, here are some alternatives that convey similar meanings:
Hardly / Scarcely / Barely … when
Formula: Hardly / Scarcely / Barely + had + S + V3 + when + S + V2
Example: Hardly had Emma stepped into the office when the meeting started.
As Soon As
Formula: S + V2 + as soon as + S + V2
Example: As soon as the guests arrived, the host began serving dinner.
This structure is simpler and more commonly used in spoken English.
4. Distinguishing “No Sooner” from Other Inversions
To avoid confusion with other inverted structures, compare the following:
Structure | Formula | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
No sooner | No sooner + auxiliary + S + V + than + clause | One action happened right after another | No sooner had she left than it started to snow. |
Not only | Not only + S1 + but also + S2 + V | Emphasizes two connected actions or facts | Not only does she play the piano, but she also sings beautifully. |
Not until | Not until + time/condition + auxiliary + S + V | One action only happened after a specific moment | Not until I had finished my homework could I go out. |
5. Notes on Using “No Sooner”
No sooner is more common in formal writing than in daily speech.
In spoken English, it is more natural to use structures like “as soon as” or “after”.
Always use inversion after “No sooner” when it begins the sentence.
Example: No sooner had I arrived than it started raining.
The structure clearly shows that two events happened almost simultaneously.
6. Practice Exercises for “No Sooner” (With Answers)
Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Answer
_____ had I finished my breakfast _____ the doorbell rang. a. No sooner / than b. Hardly / when c. Not only / but also
_____ had the teacher turned around _____ the students started talking. a. No sooner / than b. Not only / but also c. Not until / did
_____ had she received the good news _____ she called her parents. a. No sooner / than b. Hardly / when c. Not until / did
_____ had I stepped outside _____ it began to rain. a. No sooner / than b. Not only / but also c. Not until / did
_____ had they finished their dinner _____ the power went out. a. No sooner / than b. Hardly / when c. Not until / did
Answers:
a
a
b
a
b
Exercise 2: Rewrite the Sentences Using “No Sooner… than”
As soon as the rain stopped, we went out for a walk. → No sooner had the rain stopped than we went out for a walk.
Immediately after I finished his lunch, I returned to work. → No sooner had I finished his lunch than I returned to work.
Immediately after they had finished the exam, they left the room. → No sooner had they finished the exam than they left the room.
Hardly had the clock struck twelve when the fireworks started. → No sooner had the clock struck twelve than the fireworks started.
As soon as I opened the window, a gust of wind blew in. → No sooner had I opened the window than a gust of wind blew in.
Related Grammar Articles
[Start to V or V-ing? How to Use the Structure Start]
[Help to V or V-ing? Understanding the Help Structure]
[Think: Meaning and Contextual Usage]
[Common and Easy-to-Use Structures with About]
Master the Use of “No Sooner… than” for IELTS Success
Using the “No sooner… than” structure effectively in your IELTS Writing or Speaking test can demonstrate strong grammar range and accuracy, helping you score higher. It adds clarity and sophistication to your writing. For more grammar and test tips, explore IDP’s free IELTS preparation resources.
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