Element FORM/USE: FRONT POSITION, INVERSION, WITH 'HARDLY'
SuperCat ADVERBS
SubCat position
Lexical Range N/A
Level C2
Cando Can use 'hardly' in front position followed by an inverted subject and verb, to give focus.
Corrected Learner Example Hardly had he reached his front door when he heard the phone ringing. (Greece; C2 MASTERY; 1993; Greek; Pass)

Hardly had she finished her complaints when Bob stood up, paid and left. (Switzerland; C2 MASTERY; 1993; French; Pass)

Hardly had they arrived when they saw a sleek, black car leaving the house's yard. (Italy; C2 MASTERY; 2000; Italian; Pass)
Uncorrected Learner Example
Comments This is a very low frequency form in L1 data and restricted to literary contexts. NB it is more frequent in the learner data than in the L1 data.

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