no sooner than

USAGE SUMMARY

"no sooner than" is a correct phrase to use in written English.
It is used to express that an event occurred immediately after another, as in "he arrived no sooner than I had gone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"No sooner than 2070," he said.

The New Yorker

The test is no sooner than tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

No sooner than it was driven, it was bought.

The Guardian

Three will be eliminated, but no sooner than episode 10.

The New York Times

No sooner than three weeks after this distribution, students may schedule their oral examinations.

Stanford University

No sooner than three weeks after this distribution, a student may schedule an oral examination.

Stanford University

"Probably no sooner than efforts to topple the regime succeed," I responded.

The New York Times

I've got a great marriage that, I'd bet the farm, ends no sooner than hospice.

The New York Times

The requirement would take effect no sooner than Sept. 1, 2014.

The New York Times

The first launching is now scheduled for no sooner than March 22.

The New York Times - Science

No sooner than 61 years after the event, the German Parliament has sent a formal apology.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "no sooner than" to create a sense of immediacy and close succession between two events, often implying a degree of surprise or expectation.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect verb tenses after "no sooner than". Ensure the first clause uses the past perfect tense and the second clause uses the past simple tense.

How to use

Learn how to use "no sooner than" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no sooner than" functions as an adverbial connector, linking two clauses to indicate a very short time interval between two events. As Ludwig examples show, it often appears with inverted syntax to emphasize immediacy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "no sooner than" is a correct and very common phrase used to express that one event occurs immediately after another. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as an adverbial connector, emphasizing the close temporal relationship between events. While versatile and found across various contexts, it is most prevalent in news and media, followed by academic and scientific writing. When using this phrase, pay attention to proper tense usage and avoid incorrect syntax. Consider alternatives like "immediately after" or "as soon as" for different nuances. As Ludwig examples highlight, this phrase effectively conveys immediacy and surprise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately after

Focuses on the direct temporal succession of events, omitting the element of surprise or near simultaneity.

as soon as

Indicates immediacy, but lacks the sense of anticipation or expectation sometimes present in the original phrase.

directly following

Highlights the sequence more formally, suitable for technical descriptions rather than general usage.

shortly after

Emphasizes the brevity of the interval between events, with less focus on their connection.

right after

Conveys immediacy in a more casual tone, reducing formality.

just after

Similar to 'right after' but slightly less emphatic, implying a minimal delay.

hardly when

Maintains the sense of near simultaneity and surprise but is slightly more archaic or literary.

scarcely when

Like 'hardly when', it is somewhat formal and emphasizes the minimal time gap.

upon

Formal and concise, replacing the temporal clause with a preposition indicating the moment of occurrence.

the instant that

Emphasizes the lack of delay between two events, though lacks the idiomatic flair of the original.

FAQs

How can I use "no sooner than" in a sentence?

Use "no sooner than" to indicate that one event happens immediately after another. For example, "No sooner than I arrived, the phone rang."

What are some alternatives to "no sooner than"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "immediately after", "as soon as", or "shortly after", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "no sooner had I" instead of "no sooner than I"?

The correct structure is "no sooner had I" followed by "than". The phrase "no sooner than I" is grammatically incorrect. For example, "No sooner had I arrived than the phone rang."

What's the difference between "no sooner than" and "hardly when"?

"No sooner than" and "hardly when" both express events happening in close succession. However, "no sooner than" typically uses an inverted structure (had + subject + past participle) and is followed by "than", while "hardly when" does not require inversion and is followed by "when".