B2–C1 · GFF · GFF009

Hardly had + subject + past participle + when + past simple clause

Explanation

A reusable frame from “Negation, inversion and focus”. Compare how English and German express negation, inversion and focus. Practise reusable constructions with Russian translations.

Structure

EN · EnglishHardly had + subject + past participle + when + past simple clause

DE · GermanKaum + past-perfect main clause, als + past clause

Anchor phrase

RU · Translation

Поезд едва остановился, как люди начали выходить.

EN · English

Hardly had the train stopped when people began to get off.

DE · German

Kaum war der Zug zum Stehen gekommen, als die Leute ausstiegen.

Try variations2 · more examples

RU · Translation
Я едва начал читать, как погас свет.
EN · English
Hardly had I started reading when the lights went out.
DE · German
Kaum hatte ich angefangen zu lesen, als das Licht ausging.
RU · Translation
Она едва приехала, как зазвонил её телефон.
EN · English
Hardly had she arrived when her phone rang.
DE · German
Kaum war sie angekommen, als ihr Telefon klingelte.

Pattern graph

Continue with nearby patterns

GFF008No sooner had + subject + past participle + than + past simple clauseGFF GFF001Not until + past clause + did + subject + bare infinitiveGFF GFF002Only after + -ing phrase + did + subject + bare infinitiveGFF GFF003Only by + -ing phrase + can + subject + bare infinitiveGFF

03Try variations2 · more examples

Continue with nearby patterns

Try variations2 · more examples