Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that work together to connect elements of equal grammatical weight. ‘No sooner…than’ is one such pair, used to indicate that one event happens immediately after another. However, the correct usage requires specific grammatical structures, particularly concerning verb tenses and subject-verb agreement. The given sentence, “No sooner I am out, than the students make a noise,” contains a grammatical error related to the correct construction following ‘No sooner…than’.
Understanding the Error
The original sentence, “No sooner I am out, than the students make a noise,” is grammatically incorrect due to the improper verb construction following ‘No sooner’. The correct structure requires the use of the past simple tense after ‘No sooner’ and ‘than’. The issue lies in the use of the present continuous tense ("I am out") after ‘No sooner’.
Correct Usage of ‘No Sooner…Than’
The correct structure for sentences using ‘No sooner…than’ is:
- No sooner + had + subject + past participle + than + subject + past simple tense.
This structure emphasizes the immediacy of the second action following the first. The ‘had + past participle’ construction indicates an action completed before another in the past.
Corrected Sentence and Explanation
The corrected sentence is: “No sooner had I gone out, than the students made a noise.”
Here’s a breakdown of the correction:
- “had I gone”: This uses the past perfect tense ("had gone") after ‘No sooner’, correctly indicating that the action of going out was completed before the students made a noise. The inversion of subject and auxiliary verb ('had I') is common, though 'I had gone' is also acceptable.
- “made”: This uses the past simple tense ("made") after ‘than’, indicating the immediate subsequent action.
Illustrative Examples
Let's look at a few more examples to solidify understanding:
- No sooner had the rain stopped, than the sun came out.
- No sooner had she finished her speech, than the audience began to applaud.
- No sooner did I reach the station, than the train arrived. (Note: 'did' can also be used instead of 'had' for emphasis, especially with 'I', 'he', 'she', 'it')
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A common mistake is using the present perfect tense or present continuous tense after ‘No sooner’. Another error is omitting the ‘had’ after ‘No sooner’. Remember, the structure is rigid and requires adherence to the past perfect and past simple tenses for grammatical correctness.
Importance in Communication
Correct usage of correlative conjunctions like ‘No sooner…than’ is crucial for clear and effective communication. Incorrect usage can lead to ambiguity and misinterpretation, especially in formal writing and examinations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the original sentence was flawed due to the incorrect verb tense following ‘No sooner’. The corrected sentence, “No sooner had I gone out, than the students made a noise,” demonstrates the proper application of the ‘No sooner…than’ structure, utilizing the past perfect and past simple tenses to convey the immediacy of the events. Mastering such grammatical nuances is essential for precise and effective written communication, particularly in a competitive examination like the UPSC.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.