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No sooner had she sat down than the phone rang.
B2Sentence
Narrator
No sooner had she sat down than the phone rang.
Study notes
How to use in different contexts
Narrating a Story
No sooner had she sat down than the phone rang, interrupting her peaceful moment.
Describing a Coincidence
It was quite a coincidence; no sooner had he arrived than his friend called.
Adding Emphasis
The timing was impeccable; no sooner had the meeting ended than the news broke.
Creating Dramatic Tension
No sooner had she opened the door than a shadowy figure appeared.
Rephrased versions
Formal
She had barely sat down when the telephone rang.
Casual
She just sat down, and the phone rang.
Simpler English
She sat down, then the phone rang right away.
Phrases to learn
No sooner...than
Used to describe two events happening immediately one after the other.
sat down
To sit.