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:

as soon as

Antonyms:

after

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:

just asas soon as

Antonyms:

This word has no antonyms

Ways to tell them apart:

• No sooner than is the correct phrase to use, as it indicates that one event happens immediately after another.
• No sooner when is not grammatically correct and should be avoided in standard English.
• Remember that after no sooner, the correct correlative conjunction is than, not when.
• If you see no sooner, expect than to follow in a well-constructed sentence.
• Than is the necessary conjunction that helps compare the timing of two events.