English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
COLLOCATION
No sooner had he arrived when he slept off (nonstandard)
No sooner had he arrived than he slept off. No sooner collocates with than (not, when).
Hardly had he returned than his wife served him a sumptuous meal (nonstandard).
Hardly had he returned when his wife served him a sumptuous meal (standard). Hardly collocates with when (not, than).
Scarcely had she finished eating than she got a stomachache (nonstandard).
Scarcely had she finished eating when she got a stomachache (standard). Scarcely collocates with when.
Note that these three Correlatives are used to denote simultaneous actions.
GAB
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