No-Sooner-Than-No-Sooner-When | Commonly Confused Words
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No sooner than vs. No sooner when

No sooner than

/noʊ ˈsuːnər ðæn/
Used to indicate that one thing happens immediately after another.

Examples:

No sooner than dawn broke, the city began to stir.We will make a decision no sooner than next Tuesday.It started raining no sooner than we left the house.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

No sooner when

/noʊ ˈsuːnər ˈwɛn/
An English expression used to indicate that one event happens immediately after another

Examples:

No sooner had she arrived when the party started.The lights went out no sooner when he left the stage.She no sooner woke up when the phone rang abruptly.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

This word has no antonyms

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Remember that than is typically used for comparisons and sequence of events.
  • Use than when you want to show that one event happens immediately before another.
  • When is more about specific moments or occasions, rather than sequences.
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