COLLOCATIONS

English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)

COLLOCATIONS

*No sooner had* I left the house ~when~ it began to rain (nonstandard).
*No sooner had* I left the house *than* it began to rain (standard).
“No sooner” goes with “than”.

The first offence *had hardly* been resolved ~before~ he goofed again (nonstandard).
The first offence *had hardly* been resolved *when* he goofed again (standard).
“Hardly” goes with “when”.

*Scarcely had* they finished their meal ~before~ she asked for ice cream (nonstandard).
*Scarcely had* they finished their meal *when* she asked for ice cream (standard).
“Scarcely” goes with “when” too.
GAB