FORM/USE: FRONT POSITION, INVERSION, WITH 'HARDLY'
EGP #139 | C2 | ADVERBS / position Can use 'hardly' in front position followed by an inverted subject and verb, to give focus. Lexical range: N/A
我刚坐下，电话就响了。
___Hardly ___had I sat down when the phone rang.
音乐会刚开始，灯就灭了。
___Hardly ___had the concert started when the lights went out.
她刚把信投进信箱就后悔了。
___Hardly ___had she dropped the letter in the box when she regretted it.
老师刚转过身，全班就安静了。
___Hardly ___had the teacher turned around when the class fell silent.
太阳刚升起，街道上就挤满了人。
___Hardly ___had the sun risen when the streets filled with people.