Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The sentence "Hardly he had stepped out than it began to rain" is a classic example used to illustrate the correct usage of ‘hardly…when’ or ‘no sooner…than’ constructions in English grammar. These constructions are used to express that one action happened immediately after another. Understanding the correct tense sequence and the function of adverbs like ‘hardly’ is crucial for effective communication. The sentence, as presented, contains a subtle grammatical error that needs to be identified and corrected to demonstrate a strong grasp of English language principles.
Understanding the Grammatical Structure
The sentence attempts to use the ‘hardly…when’ construction, which indicates that an action was scarcely completed before another action followed. However, the original sentence contains a slight error in its structure. The correct form should be “Hardly had he stepped out when it began to rain.” Let's break down why:
The Role of ‘Hardly’
‘Hardly’ is an adverb of frequency, indicating that something happens only with difficulty or rarely. In this context, it signifies that the act of stepping out was almost immediately followed by the rain starting. It modifies the past perfect tense.
Tense Sequence: Past Perfect and Simple Past
The ‘hardly…when’ construction requires the use of the past perfect tense in the first clause (the action that was scarcely completed) and the simple past tense in the second clause (the action that immediately followed). The past perfect tense (had + past participle) indicates an action completed before another action in the past. The simple past tense (verb in past form) indicates an action completed in the past.
Correcting the Sentence
The original sentence, "Hardly he had stepped out than it began to rain," is grammatically incorrect because of the word order after ‘hardly’. The auxiliary verb ‘had’ should immediately follow ‘hardly’ and precede the subject ‘he’. The correct sentence is: “Hardly had he stepped out when it began to rain.”
Alternative Construction: ‘No Sooner…Than’
The same meaning can be conveyed using the ‘no sooner…than’ construction. This structure also requires the past perfect tense in the first clause and the simple past tense in the second clause. For example: “No sooner had he stepped out than it began to rain.”
Illustrative Examples
- Hardly had I closed my eyes when the phone rang. (Past Perfect - closed, Simple Past - rang)
- No sooner did she arrive than the meeting started. (Past Perfect - arrive, Simple Past - started)
Common Errors to Avoid
A common mistake is to use the simple past tense in both clauses. For example, “Hardly he stepped out when it began to rain” is incorrect. Another error is to omit the auxiliary verb ‘had’ after ‘hardly’ or ‘no sooner’.
| Construction | Correct Form | Incorrect Form |
|---|---|---|
| Hardly…when | Hardly had he stepped out when it began to rain. | Hardly he had stepped out than it began to rain. |
| No sooner…than | No sooner had she arrived than the meeting started. | No sooner she arrived than the meeting started. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the sentence "Hardly he had stepped out than it began to rain" highlights the importance of correct tense sequencing and word order when using ‘hardly…when’ or ‘no sooner…than’ constructions. Mastering these grammatical structures is essential for clear and accurate communication in English. The corrected sentence, “Hardly had he stepped out when it began to rain,” demonstrates the proper application of the past perfect and simple past tenses, ensuring grammatical correctness and conveying the intended meaning effectively.
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.