Negative Inversion — No Sooner Than, Scarcely When (C2)

No sooner the announcement than the phones started ringing. (the CEO / make)

Scarcely the new system when it crashed under the load. (the team / launch)

No sooner to the role than she was asked to lead a major project. (she / appoint — passive)

Hardly the building when the fire alarm went off. (we / enter)

No sooner the agreement than both sides began to renege on it. (the negotiators / sign)

Scarcely the words when he regretted saying them. (he / utter)

No sooner than the next crisis demanded everyone's attention. (one problem / solve — passive)

Barely the stage when the crowd began to cheer. (the band / reach)

No sooner the funding than the project ran into legal trouble. (the charity / secure)

Hardly off the ground when warning lights began to flash. (the aircraft / lift)

No sooner than rumours of a takeover began to circulate. (the results / publish — passive)

Scarcely the renovation when problems with the foundations emerged. (the owners / complete)

No sooner had the verdict been read out the courtroom erupted in uproar. (one word — the linking conjunction)

Hardly had the opening ceremony begun the power suddenly failed. (one word — the linking conjunction)

No sooner to bed than the baby started crying again. (the parents / go)