B2–C1 · GFF · GFF008

No sooner had + subject + past participle + than + 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.

EN · EnglishNo sooner had + subject + past participle + than + past simple clause
DE · GermanKaum + hatte(n) + subject + participle, da + past clause
RU · Translation

Не успели мы сесть, как сработала сигнализация.

EN · English

No sooner had we sat down than the alarm went off.

DE · German

Kaum hatten wir uns hingesetzt, da ging der Alarm los.

Try variations2 · more examples

  1. RU · Translation

    Не успела она отправить сообщение, как заметила опечатку.

    EN · English

    No sooner had she sent the message than she noticed the typo.

    DE · German

    Kaum hatte sie die Nachricht geschickt, da bemerkte sie den Tippfehler.

  2. RU · Translation

    Не успел я закрыть окно, как кто-то попросил открыть его.

    EN · English

    No sooner had I closed the window than someone asked me to open it.

    DE · German

    Kaum hatte ich das Fenster geschlossen, da bat mich jemand, es zu öffnen.

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